Elvis, or at least a very reasonable facsimile, was in the house, as were 21 high-achieving students of Italian heritage who received a leg up on their higher education journey. In its 21st year, the Sons of Italy Lodge 2738 Scholarship and Citizen of the Year Gala once again a drew a capacity gallery of 450 to the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center for a celebration of the accomplishments of young men and women as well as a longtime champion of the community.

Themed “A Touch of Elvis” in honor of the marquee act, Saturday’s high-class pageant saw each recipient endowed with a $750 scholarship — donated by benefactors, often in memory of family members and loved ones — along with a gift bag valued at several hundred dollars.