In Focus: Noah Markstrom's legacy lives on through award at Centralia elementary school

Andres Leal-Minor was honored by Kara and Kyle Markstrom with the 2026 Noah Markstrom Award at Fords Prairie Elementary in Centralia on Friday, June 12.

The award is named after Noah Markstrom, the son of Kyle and Kara, a former Fords Prairie student who died at age 6 from brain cancer in November 2019.

Each year, Markstrom's parents, Kyle and Kara Markstrom, pick the winner out of a group of nominees who best exemplify Noah's characteristics of perseverance, courage, positivity, kindness and joyfulness.

Noah's family founded the nonprofit Noah Jon Markstrom Foundation, which aims to raise funds for scholarships for those pursuing pediatric medicine.

"Noah's Buddy Bench," a bench by the playground which includes his own handwriting and drawings, remains on the playground in his memory.

Learn more about the foundation here: https://www.noahjonmarkstromfoundation.org/

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