Jacob Schulfer, son of Gene and LouAnn Schulfer of Custer, earned his Eagle Scout designation, the top achievement of the Boy Scouts of America, Nov 13. Jacob is a member of Boy Scout Troop 298.

Only 4 percent of boys who enter scouting will make it to Eagle Scout designation. The process is lengthy and takes years of perseverance, hard work and dedication.

For his Eagle Scout project, Jacob designed a prayer garden at his home parish, Sacred Heart Church of Polonia. He garnered support – more than $5,000 worth – through presentations to the congregation and then joined friends, family and other interested volunteers in three days’ work measuring, erecting and planting to bring the project to fruition.

The prayer garden, which rests atop a small grassy area in Sacred Heart Church Cemetery is complete with benches, a pergola, bushes and flowers.

“I am proud of how the project turned out,” Jacob said. “I feel that it ended up well. Through this process, I had to receive a multitude of approvals and complete a lot of paperwork. These experiences will help me with my communication skills and organization.”

To receive the Eagle Scout rank, Jacob successfully earned 36 merit badges – 21 are required for the Eagle Scout designation. Jacob takes most pride in the five Catholic religious awards he earned: Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII and the Four Pillars Award.

In addition, he attended four high adventure trips – a highlight of his scouting career, he said – that include three 60-plus-mile canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota, and a 115-mile hiking trip in a working cattle/horse ranch through the mountains of Philmont, N.M.

“When we first got involved with scouts, it seemed like a fun activity for the boys,” said LouAnn Schulfer. “As each year went by, it was cool to look at the new things they learned, like survival skills, leadership skills, responsibilities to coordinate and lead activities.

“It’s phenomenal to look back and realize the compounded effects of scouting and how that has contributed to Jacob’s maturity,” she said. “I am learning and appreciating more and more how this accomplishment will follow Jacob through for the rest of his life.”

A senior at Pacelli Catholic High School, Jacob plans to attend college to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He currently works as a machinist at Pointe Precision and is co-manager of Rolling Hills Driving Range.