President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

Graduating seniors of Joplin High School applaud president Barack Obama after his speech Monday night at commencement exercises.RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Barack Obama is greeted by well-wishers after his arrival Monday evening at the Joplin airport. Obama was in Joplin to deliver a speech to the graduating seniors at Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

Before commencement exercises got underway Monday night, President Barack Obama did a meet and greet with the graduating class of Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

Crowds of people gathered all along the motorcade route of President Barack Obama as he traveled from the Joplin airport to the Missouri Southern State University, where he gave a commencement speech Monday night for the graduating class of Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Barack Obama waves to well-wishers who greeted him Monday evening at the Joplin airport. Obama was on his way to deliver a commencement speech for the graduating seniors of Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Barack Obama (left) shares a laugh with Joplin Schools Superintendent Doctor C.J. Huff after Huff's speech Monday night at commencement exercises for the graducting seniors of Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Barack Obama delivers his commencement speech Monday night to the graduating class of Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Obama mingles with Joplin High School graduates just before Monday night's commencement ceremony in Joplin. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

While listening to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's speech Monday night, President Barack Obama reflected on what the town of Joplin has been through in the last year. He was on hand to to deliver the commencement speech for the graduating class of Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

Quinton Anderson (middle) who was nearly killed in the tornado that ravaged Joplin a year ago, blushes as President Barack Obama retells his story of recovery during commencement exercises Monday night for the graduating seniors at Joplin High School. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Obama mingles with Joplin High School graduates just before Monday night's commencement ceremony in Joplin. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

During the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

President Obama mingles with Joplin High School graduates just before Monday night's commencement ceremony in Joplin. RICH SUGG/The Kansas City Star_04202012

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

during the Joplin High School Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2012 at the Missouri Southern State University Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Monday, May 21, 2012, in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama spoke at the event in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the city being struck by an EF-5 tornado.{Photo by SHANE KEYSER | Kansas City Star).

President Obama Delivers Commencement Address At Joplin High School

<> on May 21, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri.