NATCHEZ &8212; Miracle Posey has a pretty good jump on her college fund for a 7-year-old, thanks to her drawing skills.

Her entry into the 2005 Assisted Housing Management Association Drug Free Kid poster contest was chosen first as a regional winner, then as a national winner.

Along the way she collected a $500 prize, a trophy, two certificates and a $1,000 scholarship. Her poster was also reprinted with a picture and biographical information of her in a calendar.

Miracle has entered the contest, sponsored locally by Riverbreeze Apartments, for several years. Her brother Oronde won the regional competition last year.

But Natchez has never had a national winner, Riverbreeze site manager Margie Pullen said.

The first $500 went fast on clothes and fun things, mom Natasha Posey said. The $1,000 is headed to the bank.

The Frazier Primary student said she spends a lot of her time drawing.

&8220;It&8217;s fun,&8221; she said. &8220;You can write and learn to draw. (I draw) every night, and I give them to my brother and friends.&8221;

She also likes to read and dance.

The winning poster was drawn last summer, and mom said she helped Miracle brainstorm ideas before they started drawing. The poster had to convey the drug-free message.

&8220;It&8217;s not good to smoke,&8221; Miracle said. &8220;(It means) put it away.&8221;

She drew a globe with children holding hands around it and saying no to drugs.

Twelve national winners were selected for the calendar. Miracle was the youngest winner. Most winners were in their teens.