MIAMI COUNTY, IN- With Miami County being the birthplace of the renowned musician Cole Porter, the family of Cole Porter has had a long-established scholarship granted to Miami County students. This scholarship was established in 1967 in memory of Cole Porter and his mother Kate Cole Porter. The funds for the scholarships have been provided by Cole’s cousins, the late Jules and Josephine Cole, the late James O. and Alice F. Cole, and the late Joey Cole and Sidney J. Kubesch.
This scholarship is awarded each year for any graduating senior from Miami County who will major in the fine arts, which includes all phases of music, fine and commercial art, performing art or teaching in any of these fields.
There are 2 scholarships awarded and are given for 4 years. The first is for $15,000and the second is for $10,000 are to be divided into 4 yearly payments for tuition and expenses.
This year in 2026, there were 6 applicants from Peru, North Miami, Maconaquah, and Home School. The committee awarded this scholarship after a day of auditions on Wednesday, April 22.
The winner of the $15,000 scholarship was Vivian Freije from Home School and she will be attending Cincinnati Conservatory with a degree in Violin.
The winner of the $10,000 scholarship was Jayke Merritt of Maconaquah High School and he will be attending Ball State with a degree in Theatre Education.
An alternate is always selected in case a student is unable to continue the studies of a fine arts field. The alternate for 2026 was Emma Sturch of Peru High School and she will be attending IUK with a degree in Art Education.
The goal of this scholarship is to encourage and help support students in their performance or teaching in the fields of music, art, and drama, and by contributing to these arts. These students will be worthy representatives of an award bearing the name of Cole Porter.
For further information contact Connie Cutler at cpscholarship2022@gmail.com or by calling 860-830-8259.
