NATCHEZ — Kayla Cauthen used to raise ducks when she was younger, but she never expected the birds to be her claim to fame.

Cauthen is a senior at Cathedral School, and recently had her painting place in the top 25 in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program.

The program is a contest in which every state in the nation participates, and the winner has their painting turned into a stamp.

The senior was shocked when she heard her painting reached the top 25.

“I know that there were people in my class who were a lot better,” Cauthen said. “But I may be self-critical.”

Cathedral participates every year in the national stamp program, said art teacher Andree Gamberi.

Gamberi said she selects the paintings she thinks are most likely to win on a state level, and the three best paintings are sent to be judged on the national level.

Paintings are separated into age groups corresponding to elementary, middle and high school.

The art teacher said she knew Cauthen’s painting would go far.

“She started working it out and drawing early, and she had time for refinement,” Gamberi said. “She followed directions.”

Cauthen said she has been drawing and doing other art projects for much of her life, but being able to practice in class has improved her skills.

The painting was of a Northern Pintail duck using acrylic paints. Cauthen said she never had a pintail, but she liked the way it looked.

While Cauthen enjoys making art in her free time, she said she does not plan on studying painting in the future.

“I would love to, but there’s not much of a career in that.” Cauthen said.

While Cauthen is not sure what college she is going to go attend, she said she wants to use her eye for detail in studying engineering.

If she decides to go into the arts or not, Cauthen will always cherish what she has created.

“It’s my own, and not everyone has it,” Cauthen said.

Kayla is the daughter of David and Gina Cauthen, Natchez residents.