Obama to speak at Joplin high school

The president visited Joplin last May, after a tornado killed 160 people, including seven students and a staff member at the high school. The storm struck less than an hour after the school's 2011 graduation ceremony. During a memorial service, Obama told residents the government would help them rebuild, and, "I promise you your country will be there with you every single step of the way." Joplin is one of three commencement addresses to be delivered by Obama this spring. The others: Barnard College in New York City (May 14) and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Col. (May 23). With much of Joplin High School leveled by the tornado, this year's seniors have been attending classes at a nearby mall. Other schools in the area have moved to temporary locations in abandoned warehouses and industrial buildings. Despite the immense challenges, school officials pride themselves on having started the school year on schedule. While they expected a steep decline in enrollment, officials say about 95 percent of students returned to attend classes in Joplin this year. News of Obama's return to Joplin comes as other towns across the Midwest and South are struggling with the aftermath of deadly tornados. At least 39 people across five states were killed in storms that struck Friday. Another round of storms earlier last week killed 13 people.