The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Sisters Rodeo has a new queen. Sarah Noce, 19, of Tumalo was crowned by outgoing queen Miska Asman on Sunday, September 25, at the Sisters Rodeo Arena.

The event realized a dream of her childhood.

“Since I was little, I’ve always looked up to the rodeo queens and have wanted to be one,” she said.

Noce took a proactive approach to her first rodeo queen contest, finding selection committee chair John Leavitt in his store, Leavitt’s Western Wear, in Sisters and getting all the details straight from him.

Contestants filled out an application, then presented themselves before judges Lisa Koch, Russel Shook and Lou Degregorio. Each young woman answered questions privately before the judges, then gave a speech to assembled rodeo association members, and finally, completed a set horsemanship pattern which included the queen’s lap around the outside of the arena.

Noce is a sophomore at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, majoring in mathematics, with a goal of being a middle school math teacher.

She graduated from Redmond High School as a valedictorian in 2004 and played varsity volleyball, basketball and softball. She also competed in 4-H and rodeo events with her horse. An all-around scholar-athlete, Noce is presently active in the rodeo club at Central Washington.

The Sisters Rodeo queen represents the rodeo at various events in the Northwest and acts as a role model to youngsters aspiring to compete in rodeo.

Runner-up was Misty Carter, 19, of Juniper Flat, near Maupin. She will represent the rodeo if Queen Sarah is unable to attend an event.