Selecting an official hostess for the Texas Cowboy Reunion is a long-standing tradition in Stamford dating back to the early years of the rodeo. Each year a local woman is selected to welcome visitors to town and to the TCR. This year’s hostess, Sherrie Everett Raughton is not only amiable and kind, she is ambitious.

The TCR became the highlight of Sherrie’s summers as a teenager, as she grew up just north of Stamford in Haskell. Not only did she enjoy watching the rodeo and attending the dances, she says it was the largest social event of the summer for all the surrounding communities. “It gave me a chance to strap on my cowboy boots and pretend I knew how to ride a horse,” said Sherrie.

Sherrie’s parents and grandparents are all Haskell natives. Her parents moved away before she was born then later returned to Haskell when Sherrie was in the 7th grade. She began attending the TCR while in high school, and looked forward to returning each summer while she was in college.

After graduating from Haskell High School, Sherrie attended Texas Tech University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education then later a Master’s degree in Educational Counseling from Sul Ross State University.

Sherrie landed her first teaching job in Rochester, just down the road from Stamford. After returning to the area, she met Jim who was coaching in Haskell. They later married and after a couple of years, moved away for what Jim calls their “Texas tour.” This tour took them further west to Midland, then south to Victoria, to Keller located in central Texas, then lastly to Lake Travis outside of Austin before they returned to their roots in 2007.

Sherrie said that upon their return to the area she was happy to see that the TCR and its traditions were still going strong. And it once again became the highlight of her summer.

She completed her last years in education as the counselor at Paint Creek School, retiring in 2013 after 30 years. Sherrie says she loved her job and wouldn’t trade a bit of her time spent working with kids.

Jim also retired in 2013 with his last years spent as principal of Stamford High School. He and Sherrie decided to tackle a second career and opened their Farmers Insurance Agency in the summer of 2014. She relates the two careers as both being in the service industry which is what she enjoys most.

Sherrie and Jim have been married for 35 years. They have one son, Tyler, who lives in Dallas with his wife, Lauren, and growing family. Sherrie is a proud Mimi to her granddaughter, Ella, who will soon be 2 years old. She is also excited to welcome a new grandson that is due in October.

Sherrie and Jim are members of St. John’s United Methodist Church. Sherrie serves as a member of the Paint Creek School Board, the Stamford Rotary Club, the Stamford Preservation League Board, past Stamford Chamber of Commerce President, and has served on the Stamford Bread of Life Ministry Board. This year, she and Jim will be Ticket Chairmen for the Texas Cowboy Reunion.

Sherrie states, “Not being a native of Stamford, I had no idea that the people in our community would be as welcoming and friendly as everyone has been to us. There is something about a small-town atmosphere that cannot be beat. I love Stamford for many reasons, but mainly because of the people who live here. I am beyond honored and extremely excited to represent our town at the 89th Texas Cowboy Reunion Rodeo.”