Joplin High School
After three years in temporary campuses as a result of the 2011 tornado, Joplin High School opened at 2104 Indiana Ave. on September 2, 2014. The new facility combines a college, career and technology focused education along with Franklin Technology Center. The formal ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 3, 2014. Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan attended the ceremony and spoke to the crowd. A ribbon representing the destructive path of the 2011 tornado was a part of the ceremony. Joplin High School Student Council President Sadie Wallner cut the ribbon.
Tornadoes of 2014
Numerous tornadoes ripped across parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida. A large, violent tornado struck Mayflower and Vilonia, Arkansas, on April 27 causing severe damage and killing 16 people. The tornado was rated a high-end EF4, the first violent tornado of the year. Another death was confirmed earlier that evening with an EF2 tornado that moved through Quapaw, Oklahoma, and Baxter Springs, Kansas. Ten people were killed on the 28th when an EF4 tornado struck Louisville, Mississippi. EF3s caused major damage and fatalities in Coxey, Alabama and Tupelo, Mississippi, as well. Overall, this outbreak produced 84 tornadoes and killed 35 people. The city of Joplin, Missouri was under a tornado watch on April 27.