Jodi Hembree Aims For Queen Title

Sonora, CA — 17 year old Sonora High student Jodi Hembree has her sights set on the title of Queen of the 52nd Mother Lode Round Up.

Hembree comments that it’s really a lot of hard work that goes into the competition each year. Selling no less than 300 tickets and balancing the Round Up preparations with school and a social life have proven to be the greatest challenges.

One such preparation is practicing with her 14 year old quarter horse Explesive Design or Dee.

Hembree adds she has learned a great deal about time management by simply observing current Queen Jessica Haynie. During her one year reign Haynie has been a student at U.C. Davis and there have been many trips back and forth to Sonora plus rodeo attendance to carry out the duties of a Mother Lode Queen.

So why compete for the crown? Hembree answered that question by stating, "It’s something I’ve never done before. I would love to promote rodeo, the Sheriff’s Posse and Tuolumne County for a full year."

Following graduation Hembree plans on attending Columbia College and then moving on for a degree in education. Her ultimate goal; teaching on the third grade level.

For more about the Round Up visit Mymothelode.com’s Round up section.