Every January, Instagram feeds and Miami Palmetto Senior High halls are lined with post after post of Mr. Panther promotion. But what often goes unnoticed year after year is that behind the costumes, music and props on stage, months are spent choreographing this ensemble of rhythm and theme.
Mr. Panther is an annual competition in which the upperclassmen volunteer as tribute to showcase their talent, looks and dance moves to raise funds for MPSH’s Television Production class. The show includes a talent segment, a swimsuit competition and a new theme every year. This year’s theme was Hunger Games, with Television Production hoping to give the show a mysterious mood. The plot surrounding the show included the drafting of tributes from 12 districts to compete, which is seen in the original books and movies.
“Mr. Panther is basically a boys’ beauty pageant,” senior and lead choreographer Amanda Jones said. “They are just trying to wow the audience.”
This is not Jones’s first time directing dances at an MPSH event. She stepped in as head choreographer for the Class of 2026’s Senior Prowl in September 2025, allowing her to manage the larger event of Mr. Panther.
“[Choreographing the Class of 2026’s’] Prowl was kind of like my step into going towards Mr. Panther,” Jones said.
Attitude is said to be crucial in the contestants’ advancements, with leadership and tributes alike trying their best to show up to practice with a positive mindset and motivation to improve. This is something Jones has kept in mind during rehearsals.
“You always have to have a positive attitude, because that will encourage them,” Jones said. “It’ll just make the environment a better, more positive place. It’s just very important to do that.”
The importance of enthusiasm extends beyond Jones’s guidance, with junior and Mr. Cap Office Julian Levy noting how crucial it is for his fellow competitors to put their all into the competition.
“Seeing yourself with the group of people who like, really want to do this, and putting the work in and coming to practice. It’s nice, you know, it gives you that confidence, makes you more excited,” Levy said.
Levy enjoys the opportunity to perform in front of an audience and is aware of the amount of time and effort spent practicing and rehearsing is what will impact the overall performance on stage.
“I was a little nervous during the choreo at first, because I couldn’t really get it right away, but after practicing a bunch, I’m super comfortable right now, like I’d go up on stage right now,” Levy said.
The positive environment Jones and the tributes have created has encouraged the contestants to put forth their best efforts on the day of Mr. Panther.
Repetition is key for the contestants, with multiple rehearsals being held per week.
“I just think that after having so many practices, they finally get the moves down. It gives them more confidence, and they’re like, ‘I’m ready to go on stage, I can actually do this,’” Jones said.
Levy, as a contestant himself, has realized the importance of putting in time and energy into the show in order to improve and ensure dance numbers run smoothly. This year’s participants understand that long hours and dedication are crucial to a well-done show.
“Practicing, you know, it obviously gets you more confident. It gets you more used to it,” Levy said.
MPSH spirit and competitive cheerleading Coach Nina Pozo understands from her years of experience that one essential aspect to master choreography is familiarity with counts.
“As long as you understand an eight count and how it matches up with the beat of the music, you won’t really speed up your movements or slow them down, because you know it has to reach a hit by a certain number,” Pozo said. “As long as you understand that, you’re 80% there.”
This year’s Mr. Panther is rumored to be the best yet, with the contestants’ unyielding dedication and determined attitudes creating an atmosphere unlike previous years.
“They’re definitely a very charismatic group of boys … I think that’s what’s gonna make the show so unique,” Pozo said.
