Local high schools are gearing up for their annual graduation ceremonies.

Spalding High School will be celebrating its approximately 250 graduating seniors Friday at 8 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. The next morning, at 9 a.m., Griffin High School will have its ceremony at the same location, handing high school diplomas to about 250 students as well.

A.Z. Kelsey Academy’s graduation celebration will take place today at 9 a.m. at the Griffin Auditorium, with 14 students expected to receive diplomas.

This year’s valedictorians are Dominique Appling for Griffin High and Jordan Elizabeth Tapley for Spalding High. Salutatorians are Sarah Hill for Griffin High and Ashlyn Breanna Coffey for Spalding High.

The Griffin-Spalding County School System noted that those intending to attend ceremonies at Memorial Stadium will need tickets, as walk-ups without tickets won’t be admitted. Both Griffin High and Spalding High have distributed free but limited tickets to their respective graduates.

Those who will be attending graduation ceremonies are asked to arrive early due to traffic and security issues.

“We always have an elevated level of security for graduations to maintain a safe school environment, as this a school event,” said GSCS Communications Specialist Elizabeth Benz. “Attendees will find the roads immediately surrounding the stadium (Fourth Street, Poplar Street) to be closed to vehicle traffic, and attending will be subject to metal detecting upon stadium entry.”

Asked about alternative plans in case of inclement weather, Benz said the school system will do everything it can to have the graduation ceremonies at Memorial Stadium to facilitate the high number of guests expected to attend.

“Delays will be announced from the stage. In addition, we will put out announcements via the school system’s Web site, Facebook page and local radio, so that attendees can use their smart phones and/or car radio to get announcements,” she said, adding that back-up sites include the Griffin Auditorium and school gyms.