Marcus crowned rodeo queen

Sara Marcus spent half her childhood as part of Sisters Rodeo before she was crowned the 2012 Queen on Sunday, September 25 at the rodeo grounds.

"I want to be the best rodeo queen Sisters has ever had," she said, after scoring the highest points of four contestants to win the crown.

Members of Sisters Rodeo won't expect any less from the hardworking kid they've watched grow into a poised young woman. She has worked as a volunteer since she was nine years old. Her parents, Jeri and Bob Buckmann, joined the association in the year 2000 after moving to Sisters. At her first "work party," Marcus was sent into the arena to pick rocks out of the dirt. She went right to work.

"It was love at first sight," Marcus said. "The thrill of bull rides and steer wrestlers landing in the dirt. I wanted to be part of that."

She sold programs, worked as an usher and helped in pre-rodeo preparation of the grounds. Volunteering became part of her life, not just at rodeo, but also for Sisters' chamber of commerce, where her mother is the events director.

Not satisfied to be the only kid helping, Marcus cajoled her friends into volunteering at all kinds of events. This made her even more of an asset in Sisters Country and at the rodeo. She wears a smile, no matter what the volunteer assignment, because, for her, it's fun and rewarding.

Childhood years in Central Oregon Pee Wee Rodeo taught her skills in pole bending, barrel racing and goat tying. In 2007, she was a Pee Wee Rodeo Princess. That's when she knew that she wanted to be a Sisters Rodeo Queen.

The Sisters High School graduate was a member of the equestrian team and Tri County High School Rodeo. As a teen, she became a National Professional Rodeo Association barrel racer, a sport she competes in nearly every weekend. She is a sophomore at Central Oregon Community College, where she is studying criminal justice. After she completes her associate's degree, she will pursue a degree in psychology at the University of Oregon.

This year, Marcus is serving as Spray Rodeo Queen, traveling the rodeo circuit as their representative and also competing in barrel racing.

A Sisters Rodeo Queen contestant is judged in personality, appearance, riding ability and the quality of her horse's performance. Marcus's horse Lily has been trained by Marcus since the mare was four years old. The seven-year-old bay performed like a champion at the tryouts, executing the assigned pattern with precision and beauty, while appearing as relaxed and confident as her rider.

In a finely tuned speech to a full house of rodeo members and supporters, Marcus stated that when she thinks of rodeo she thinks of the volunteers who put in months of work to make the rodeo happen. "My favorite quote is from an old cowboy who said, "Life's tough, get a helmet.' Volunteers are my rodeo helmet."

Her father, Ron Marcus, of Lake Tahoe, California, expressed pride in his daughter, saying, "She gave it her all and I've never been more proud of her. It's awesome. Jeri and Bob did a great job helping her get here. Today is what she has wanted more than anything."

After the announcement of his stepdaughter's selection, an ebullient Bob Buckmann honored his wife, Jeri, with a joke: "How many rodeo queens does it take to change a light bulb? None. Their moms do it." He later praised Sara for her diligence, saying, "She not only wears the crown, she lives it."

That light-bulb-changing mom, Jeri, expressed her joy at having her daughter represent the rodeo and Sisters, adding, "We're so proud of her. She has worked very hard this year. She even used her classmates to help her polish her speech. She has thought of everything she needed to do."

The decision was greeted with boisterous cheers from the crowd. Hans Teufl, Sisters Rodeo Volunteer of the Year (along with his wife, Kay), praised the choice of Marcus, stating, "We deserve her."

Marcus will represent Sisters at the rodeos of the Columbia River Circuit, and will promote the sport of rodeo, and Sisters, wherever she finds the opportunity.

The Sisters PRCA Rodeo will feature five performances the second week of June. Tickets will be available in late November by calling 541-549-0121 or 800-827-7522.