Love Is a Compass: Central Mountain’s Color Guard Performance Set for Home Competition This Weekend
By Emily Wright
MILL HALL— Central Mountain High School is set to host a colorful and passionate display of talent as the Central Mountain (CM) Color Guards prepare for their much-anticipated home competition on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The event promises to be a vibrant showcase that will also feature performances by CM’s majorettes.
Central Mountain’s color guard coaches, Sunshine Kustaborder and Stephanie Wilson, bring over a decade of experience and passion to the program, having dedicated 13 years to building and nurturing the team. Both Kustaborder and Wilson’s journey with color guard began in their youth, fueling a lifelong passion that led them to coaching.
“This will be Stephanie Wilson and I’s 13th year coaching together,” Sunshine shared. “Both Stephanie and I participated in colorguard when we were in school; I started in 4th grade and Stephanie in 7th,” she added. Their mission extends beyond performance; it’s about fostering personal growth among their students. “They are more than just students to us; they are our kids!” Sunshine emphasized. For both Coach Kustaborder and Coach Wilson, watching the kids on their teams grow as both performers and as people continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching.
The CM Color Guards, boasting eight talented members from CMHS and various Cyber School programs, will perform a poignant show titled “Love is a Compass” at the home competition this weekend. Sunshine describes it as a performance designed “to remind you that when you are having personal struggles, there are always people there to help you through.” This theme of support and guidance is one that is sure to resonate with people of all ages and life experiences.
Although the home competition takes place at the beginning of their season, the team already has notable achievements to celebrate. Sunshine recounted with pride, “Even though our season has just started, being promoted to the next classification at our preview show on February 1st was a great way to kick off the season!” She expressed enthusiasm for the team’s dedication and progress, adding, “Stephanie and I cannot wait to see where our kids take this year’s show.”
As for this weekend’s home competition, a total of 14 color guard teams will be attending and competing, but CM will be the only competitor in their recently promoted classification, Scholastic A. This marks a precursor to the more extensive competitions they’ll participate in. “There are currently six Colorguards in our class, and that number can continue to grow up until April 1st with reclassifications,” Sunshine explained. “Typically, we compete against 15 other teams at Championships in Wildwood, NJ, in May.”
Sunshine was quick to express gratitude to the unsung heroes supporting the team— the Booster Club. “Our Booster Club needs to be recognized for all that they do for our Indoor Program. There is so much they do behind the scenes to make our kids able to have whatever they need for the season.”
In an inviting call to the community, Sunshine encourages all to attend the competition this Saturday. “I encourage everyone to attend the competition to see just how much hard work and dedication is put into the Indoor season whether it is Colorguard, Dance, Majorettes, and/or Percussion. These Teams are all amazing, and you will not be disappointed!”
As anticipation builds for this exhilarating event, the CM Color Guards are ready to demonstrate their passion, dedication, and artistry on their home stage. With a show theme that’s sure to resonate amongst attendees, there’s no doubt that their performance will showcase their talent and teamwork, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend.
Community members and supporters are encouraged to come out and see the dedication and talent of these young athletes as they perform in the gym at Central Mountain High School, 64 Keystone Central Drive in Mill Hall, this Saturday, March 1. The competition will begin at noon, and color guard teams will begin to compete at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss the CM color guards as they take the stage at 7:00 p.m.!
