Jasper Elementary School's fourth-grade cohort has initiated a legislative effort, collaborating with State Representative Shane Lindauer and State Senator Daryl Schmitt, to establish the persimmon as Indiana's official state fruit.
Mrs. Donato, a fourth-grade teacher, explained the project's genesis: "As educators, our goal is to instill a sense of wonder in our students. Last year, while teaching Indiana history, my students learned about a second-grade class in West Lafayette that proposed and eventually passed a bill for the Say's Firefly to become the state insect." The inquiry about a state fruit led to research and subsequent proposals.
Initially, the pawpaw was considered due to its native status in Indiana, but it was dismissed after discovering Ohio's prior designation in 2009. The focus shifted to persimmons, with students tasked to substantiate their proposal through persuasive writing, a core fourth-grade skill. They identified four key reasons: Indiana's lack of a state fruit, the native status of persimmons, their health benefits, and the economic potential of the fruit and its wood.
On January 24, 2025, a presentation was made by students Grant, Mackenzie, Sophie, Ariel, and Sawyer, attended by school officials and legislators. Representative Lindauer has since introduced House Bill 1618, with a committee presentation scheduled for February 10th at the Indiana Statehouse.
Through this project, students engaged in civics education, learning persuasive writing, oral presentation skills, and the legislative process. The project also incorporated collaborative work and demonstrated that perseverance can lead to impactful outcomes. According to Mrs. Donato, students utilized the school's program habits throughout the project.
Source: DC Free Press