“I was in colorguard from sixth grade to 12th grade at Sheffield High School. Then I was in colorguard for two years at Clarion University,” Beil said, thinking back to those days.

After coming back home after college, Beil became the Colorguard coach at Sheffield for two years. She never stopped loving the art of performance.

In 2025, Beil, along with Laura Bunce and Mari Ireland founded Allegheny Eclipse Colorguard for other adults who never lost their love of Colorguard either. What started out as a small dream, quickly grew into a vibrant space for movers, dancers, spinners, and storytellers from all backgrounds.

The group was able to get all of the equipment from Sheffield High School’s Colorguard donated to them when Sheffield’s program ended. Several of the group’s members graduated from Sheffield.

Amanda Beil and Laura Bunce are pictured.

“It’s a way for us to carry our Alma Mater with us and keep part of Sheffield’s High School alive,” Beil told me.

The group took part in Warren’s annual Fourth of July parade. The second performance will be at the Drum Corps International Show, Music On The Mountain at the football field at Warren’s War Memorial Field. The Allegheny Eclipse will open the show on July 25.

“This is a huge honor for us and we couldn’t be more grateful to have this opportunity! We are supporting our area and we are able to share our talent with an even bigger group,” Beil said. “We couldn’t have done this without the help of Art Lane. He and the Music On The Mountain Community have helped us every step of the way to make this possible.”

Beil shared with me the pride she feels from being part of this team.

“We have formed so many friendships and I know that we couldn’t be Allegheny Eclipse without the hard work that comes from our team. I am so grateful for these ladies and to my two co-directors. Without them, I couldn’t do this,” said Beil.

What advice does Beil have for someone reading this that remembers that love of being part of colorguard and misses the creativity that came with it?

“If you are interested in being a part of a group that allows you to be creative and part of something bigger, this is the group for you! We take all levels of experience, even new guard members.”

You can see Allegheny Eclipse in Saturday’s parade and at War Memorial Field for Music On The Mountain on July 25.

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