Teen taxidermist tells all.

• Position: Q&A

Forget cheerleading. Amy Ritchie, 17, of Midland, N.C., would rather be in her shop practicing taxidermy. Last summer, she won a first-place award at the National Taxidermist Association's championships in Louisville, Ky. UPFRONT caught up with Ritchie.

So what exactly is taxidermy?

It's taking the skin of an animal, preserving it, and then mounting it over the top of an artificial body form.

How did you get started with this?

I found a dead snake that had been killed right outside my house ... I wanted to turn it into a belt. And after that, I told my dad to look out for any roadkills he would find so I could practice on them.

Why taxidermy?

I just love being able to have all these animals around me all the time and be able to preserve them forever. I think...