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With few textbooks to salvage from the rubble, the school overhauled its approach to teaching and embraced a technology-first approach, thanks to an estimated $1 million donation from the United Arab Emirates that helped equip each
of Joplin's high school students with a laptop computer. The transition wasn't entirely smooth, White said. "I have never worked so hard in my life at any job as I have this year," she said. "Everything was brand-new. There were no books. You had to get your own lessons. You had to get the kids up to speed. You had to get up to speed. You had to learn (computer) programs and how to structure the information." On Tuesday, the Joplin school system will symbolically break ground at three new schools being built to replace those lost last year, including a new high school expected to open in 2014. Construction will be financed in part by a $62 million bond issued approved by Joplin voters in April. Graduating senior Siri Ancha, who plans to study medicine in a combined six-year degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, used to think she would leave Joplin behind once college beckoned. Ancha now realizes that she's inextricably linked to her hometown. "For the longest time, I thought I had to go to college some place far away, I had to leave this place," she said. "But I'm glad I'm only going to be three hours away now. Because being a part of this town has meant so much to me, especially this year. Not just because of the tornado. Joplin is a great community. I definitely have the Joplin pride now."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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