Before the cheers begin or the rodeo gate swings open, Ayanna Brewington knows success is built through the work no one else sees.

The Elgin High School freshman is involved in several activities, from EHS Cheer and FFA to barrel racing and pole bending. No matter where she is competing or performing, Brewington carries a strong sense of pride in representing her school, family and community.

“It means a lot to me to represent Elgin High School and my community through everything I am involved in,” Brewington said. “When I compete or perform, I know I am representing more than just myself. I want to make my school, family and community proud by working hard, showing respect and always giving my best effort.”

Brewington’s FFA journey started with encouragement from a very important person in her life: her grandpa. He encouraged her to join the organization and suggested she begin showing pigs. That guidance helped establish the foundation for an experience that has quickly become a major part of her high school career.

“My grandpa is where it all started for me,” Brewington said. “He encouraged me to get involved in FFA and told me that I should show pigs. He helped build the foundation for me, and from there, it was only up.”

Now, Brewington is active in livestock showing, livestock judging, and Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Through FFA, she has found opportunities to compete, travel, meet new people and develop meaningful friendships. She especially enjoys traveling and competing alongside what she considers her second family, whether at jackpots, county shows or the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

One of Brewington’s proudest accomplishments came in 2025, when she became an OKFB Livestock Judging Champion. The honor reflected the practice, consistency and commitment she has invested in improving her skills.

“That accomplishment meant a lot to me because of all the hard work, practice and dedication it took to get there,” she said. “It showed me that the work you put in really can pay off.”

Brewington said her parents and grandpa remain among her biggest influences. Her parents have worked hard to give her opportunities to pursue what she loves, while her grandpa introduced her to the FFA world she now enjoys.

She also credits Mrs. Williams for being a supportive teacher and someone she can depend on both in and outside the classroom. With a willingness to keep learning and working, Brewington is building a strong future at Elgin, one competition, performance and goal at a time.