Obama inspires Joplin, MO Graduates
JOPLIN — President Barack Obama told an exuberant crowd of Joplin graduates, teachers, community leaders and others on Monday night they’ve been through much but have a bright future because, “You are from Joplin.”
That was the president’s theme as he appeared before 431 members of the Class of 2012 on the anniversary of a devastating tornado that killed 161 people on the night of graduation last year.
After other speeches and honors, the president was introduced and opened with: “Congratulations on your graduation, and thank you for the honor of allowing me to play a small part in this event.”
Obama said his job is to inspire, but it is clear that the students are the source of inspiration — to the county and people all over the world.
He recalled by name the high school students who died in the tornado a year ago — Will Norton, a 2011 graduate, and Caley Lantz Hare, who would have graduated this year.
The audience was silent as the president spoke, some leaning forward, some with iPhones held up to record the moment, a few taking pictures. They listened as he talked about what the city and its citizens have been through and everyone who helped.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20120522/NEWS01/305230002/Obama-Joplin-High-School-graduation-tornado?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE
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