By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis High School junior Zeke Haag recently completed a project to offer a little bit of fun for his church community.
Haag, 17, of Ellis completed an octaball or "ga ga ball" pit for his church, Ogallah Christian Church.
The court is octagonal. Players roll or hit a soccer-ball-sized ball with their hands. If the ball hits you below the waist, you are out of the game. The object of the game is to eliminate all of the other players.
He said his church youth group likes to play the game when they go to camp, so he offered to build a court at the church for his Eagle Scout project.
The cost of the project was about $900. Haag funded the project through donations from the church, friends and family.
Haag has been a Scout since he was in the first grade. He is a member of Troop 101 in Hays.
Haag said his goal since he was a Cub Scout has been to earn his Eagle Scout Award.
Haag has completed all of his merit badges, leadership hours and camping hours, and is waiting for final review of his project to receive his Eagle Scout Award, the highest honor in Boy Scouts.
He said one of his favorite aspects of Scouts has been camping. He has camped in West Virginia for the National Boy Scout Jamboree, as well as in Colorado and New Mexcio.
"I just like the outdoor atmosphere," he said.
Haag was also recently honored with the Outstanding Arrowman Award though Boy Scouting. To qualify for the award, Haag had to be voted in as a member of the Boy Scout honor society. Arrowmen must have a minimum number of camping hours, as well as earn a vote of three-quarters of their troop.
Haag also is a member of the football, wrestling and baseball teams at EHS.
Haag said he plans to go to technical school after he graduates high school to study carpentry.