BOSTON (SHNS) - Ms. Johnson's second grade class is coming back to the State House on Friday, and their story from 50 years ago shows how a teacher and a little civics education can have a marked impact -- on a ceremonial bill, on the culture of a town, or on something as enduring as a seven-year-old's lifelong career trajectory. Former House Majority Leader James Vallee will be with them, because he was one of the second-grade lobbyists in 1974 who urged the Legislature to pass H 5155: An Act designating the ladybug as the official bug of the commonwealth. Today, Massachusetts has dozens of official state emblems, from the official state muffin (corn) to the state reptile (garter snake). But in 1974, there were just five: the flower (mayflower), tree (American elm), bird (black-capped chickadee), horse (Morgan), and beverage (cranberry juice). The second grade class at the John F. Kennedy Memorial School in Franklin felt there ought to be an official state insect. "The kids had thought, well, a ladybug is an industrious bug," said Rep. Jeffrey Roy, who moved to Franklin in the '80s and is hosting the late Palma Johnson's pupils for a tour of the State House on Friday morning. Members of a 1974 second grade class from Franklin, who lobbied for the bill designating the ladybug as the official state insect, pose decades later with Rep. Jeff Roy of Franklin. (Rep. Roy's Office via SHNS) "And it's not harmful to gardens. And it's a symbol of luck. So they said, let's petition the Legislature to name the ladybug as the state insect. And it caught on," Roy said. The bill earned the autograph of Gov. Francis Sargent, who wrote to the kids in April of '74: "The interest you showed by your appearance at the committee hearing and by your letter was very impressive and one of the most important things citizens like yourselves can do to influence legislation." Tourists who visit the State House today are handed a booklet by Secretary William Galvin's force of tour guides called "The Ladybug Story," which tells the students' story to illustrate how a bill becomes a law. "That's about them. That's about this group of kids, and they're coming in as 58-year-olds," Roy said this week. Ladybugs have taken on a sort of legendary status in Franklin and become part of the local folklore. For the law's 40th anniversary, businesses and public figures were invited to decorate large ladybugs that were displayed around town, Roy said. After a couple of years, the Franklin Downtown Partnership created a "Ladybug Trail" with a map for visitors to walk around and view the decorated insects. "I just thought it would be wonderful to bring them in as adults and just talk about that experience, and see what impact it had on their lives. We know what it did for Jim Vallee, but I'm sure there are others who have some similar stories," said Roy. Ms. Johnson's students approached Rep. Robert Ficco, who later became Vallee's law partner, about filing the bill. And Vallee said he remembered making ladybug costumes and dressing up like a ladybug to make their pitch. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time when I was, I guess, what -- seven years old or eight years old. But yeah, that was the first time going to the State House. And obviously left an indelible mark on my life. And really happy to relive that memory," he told the News Service. After the 1974 ladybug effort, it wasn't too many years later that Vallee, still a relatively young 27, took his oath as a member of the House. "And I guess it must have made such an impression on me, that I went on to serve almost 10 terms in the House. And I guess, I don't know if it's paying it back, but it's something that I carry with me. I still live in the community and love the legacy of my involvement," the former rep said. Now working as managing partner of Nixon Peabody's Boston office on State Street, Vallee says he still gets back to visit the State House "every once in a while." Roy plans to give the alumni a capitol tour at 10 a.m. on Friday followed by a group photo with Gov. Maura Healey at 11:30 a.m.