For nearly three decades, Edward Arthur “Art” Steffen taught at Fairfax County Public Schools.

He spent his last 10 years at Mountain View Alternative High School in Centreville. After retiring from teaching in 2012, Steffen continued to coach basketball, with his final position at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Steffen died unexpectedly on June 15, 2014, and the subsequent celebration of his life brought over 1,000 people to the Fairfax County Police Association hall in Fairfax.

To honor Steffen’s memory, his widow Bev and children Emily and Mackenzie decided to establish the Art Steffen Memorial Scholarship Fund that would recognize individuals in the areas of citizenship and basketball. The scholarship would assist with either financial aid or trade opportunities.

The citizenship scholarship is awarded to one student at Mountain View Alternative High School in Centreville, and the basketball scholarship goes to a female at Lake Braddock, Robinson, Centreville or West Springfield who is involved with either playing, coaching, refereeing or managing a team.

Steffen graduated from West Springfield High School in 1970.

The first Art Steffen Memorial Citizenship Scholarship of $1,000 was awarded to Mountain View senior Dibora Eshete on Feb. 6 at the school’s mid-year graduation awards ceremony. Eshete graduated on Feb. 10.

Another Mountain View student will receive a scholarship at graduation in June. The basketball scholarship will also be awarded at Lake Braddock, Robinson, Centreville or West Springfield at the end of the school year.

For more information about donating to the scholarship fund, visit artsteffen.ucpfund.org.