Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School students have a lot to think about in the spring — sports, music, clubs, not to mention homework and finals.

But even with all that, they somehow find time to prepare for the Harmony Scholars program. The annual song and dance spectacular returns to the high school stage Friday and Saturday.

Students have been practicing for more than two months to get ready, balancing practices and meetings on top of their regular assignments.

“It’s a long day, but you gotta do it,” said Noah Berk, a senior who is in his second year performing.

This is a transition year for the students as they will be performing without the longtime leadership of Kathy Crampsie and Patty Vito.

In their place, one of their proteges has stepped up. Kiley Boswell, a 2017 Panther Valley graduate, decided to direct the show. With help from a group of dedicated parents, Boswell got the show planned and choreographed in under three months.

Boswell said she’s taking what she learned from Crampsie and Vito, as well as some old recordings of Harmony performances.

“They’re actually the reason I wanted to continue the program,” she said. “I knew this was something that was so important to me that I didn’t want the seniors to lose out on that.”

Boswell said fans can expect another fun, high-energy show like in past years. Some of the numbers they chose are Harmony standards, but she also decided to branch out into some new choreography and genres of music.

“The inspiration for the songs came from what was popular, what the kids were into, fun, upbeat stuff,” she said.

Getting a group of high school students to listen is difficult, especially when you’re one of their peers. If there was any awkwardness it didn’t last long, according to Boswell’s younger sister Kayla, who is one of the seniors in this year’s cast.

“I kind of came into it with her, so it’s nice to have her here. It’s awesome to have her carry it on, so we’re able to have it this year,” Kayla Boswell said.

Harmony Scholars is something to be proud of for Panther Valley students. It started in the 1950s, and scholarships are available for members.

The performers can all remember a past performance that had an impact on them. For Berk, it was graduate Matthew Miller’s rendition of Lady Gaga a few years back. This year, he’ll get his turn in a wig, as one of the Spice Girls. All the students said they could remember going to past performances.

“I grew up watching all these older kids doing Harmony. I thought it was so cool, so when I had the opportunity to do Harmony, I said, ‘Definitely, sign me up,’” Kayla Boswell said.

Students have been practicing diligently, and this weekend they’ll come together, as Harmony Scholars.

“That’s the cool thing about ‘Harmony,’ no matter who’s running the show, they’re faced with the task of turning the cast of 60 kids into one family,” Kayla Boswell said.

“But by the time Friday hits, we all just want the show to go well. We all work together. We all love each other, and it’s really fun.”

The Harmony Scholars will perform two shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at the door.