JOPLIN, MO (KCTV) -
The last 24 hours in Joplin, MO, have been busy for city leaders as they prepare for the big event Monday night, the Joplin High School graduation held at Missouri Southern State University.
The city will play host to Pres. Barack Obama on the eve of the anniversary of one of the deadliest tornados in U.S. history.
Clare Davis, a graduating senior at Joplin High School, called a vacant department store at the North Park Mall in Joplin her high school for her senior year.
Davis said the tornado last year brought people together, and this year she leaves with not only memories but new friends as well.
"Definitely, the tornado has had a huge impact on the sense of community we have with each other because we've all been through the same thing," Davis said. "It has help us. I've made a ton of new friends. Everyone else has made a bunch of new friends - people that I never thought I would be friends with."
Principal Dan Hueller said the graduating seniors are really excited about the events Monday night.
"I was just over at Missouri Southern, and I'm seeing all the different details that they have to put into place and all the changes we've seen from different graduations," Hueller said. "It's just going to be awesome I can't wait for the kids to walk in for the first time and see what's all taken place and I think then they'll really get it."
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