Left to right: Theano Kehayes, Chief Financial Officer, VCLC; Judy Kwok, Teaching Assistant, VCLC; Eagle Scout Abigail Luk; and Janet Koch, Chief Executive Officer, VCLC displaying the sensory board Abigail and her fellow scouts built and presented as part of her Eagle Scout badge project. (Photo: Variety Child Learning Center)

Syosset teen earns Eagle Scout award with project for children with autism

July 8, 2025July 13, 2025 The Long Island Times

Abigail Luk of Scouting America Girl Troop 205, based at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Syosset, recently earned the Eagle Scout badge after creating sensory boards for the children at Variety Child Learning Center (VCLC) as part of her Eagle qualification project.

Luk led the creation of 11 sensory boards with fellow scouts, dedicating approximately 500 hours to designing, building and assembling the boards, which are used to help children with autism develop fine motor skills, cognitive abilities and sensory integration.

The scouts raised money to purchase supplies by selling handmade bracelets. Home Depot and Lowe’s donated materials after learning about the project, and leftover funds were donated to VCLC to further support its programs.

The boards will be used in the school’s gymnasium and Relaxation Station room to enhance play and learning experiences.

“The scouts did a fabulous job on the sensory boards and are to be commended for their caring and generosity on behalf of the students at Variety Child Learning Center,” said Janet Koch, CEO of VCLC. “Abigail’s leadership and extraordinary dedication are to be applauded, and we congratulate her on earning the coveted Eagle Scout badge.”

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