Joplin High School students have been going to school in a mall since a tornado destroyed their school on graduation day last year. Now the class of 2012 is preparing to accept their diplomas and senior Rachel Berryhill says, "It's cool to see how far we've come a year later."

Berryhill tells HLN's Robin Meade she's been impressed with the help that her city has received in the past 12 months. 

"Usually you hear about like, all these mean people in the world, but there are so many great people that like, helped us to where we are today," she says.

President Obama will deliver the commencement speech at Joplin High School's graduation ceremony later tonight. 

A new school is planned and hopes are that it will be open for students in 2014.

More: HLN Rebuilds: Joplin's Road Back