PHOTO GALLERY: High school graduation in Joplin

May 21, 2012 | 10:23 p.m. CDT

Joplin residents showed support for high school graduates a year after a deadly EF5 tornado hit the southwest Missouri town.

Marla Marantz, left, and Phyllis Netzer, right, stand in front of a fence trying to block Westboro Baptist Church protesters from the view of the road. "When I heard Westboro was here, I wanted to be here to help support Joplin." Netzer said. Both Marantz and Netzer live in Springfield. | Caitlin Jones

Before the high school graduation Monday, members of the Joplin community hold signs and flags in support and remembrance of the graduating seniors as well as the victims of last year's Joplin tornado. In the background, members of the Westboro Baptist Church hold signs attempting to spread their message. | Caitlin Jones

Brian Henson holds flags in support for President Barack Obama with help from his next-door neighbor's niece, Allison Bray, on Monday. The two are survivors of the 2011 tornado. | Caitlin Jones

Fern Cowen looks out at the wreckage of the old Joplin hospital while standing at the new memorial in Cunningham Park on Monday. | Caitlin Jones