# K NIGHTS STAND OUT Students Recognized for Outstanding Results
New Underwood Student Center Transforms Campus Life
The National Merit Scholarship program recently announced the index scores for the 2019 competition, and eight EHS seniors have been designated Commended students.
With great anticipation, the new Underwood Student Center opened its doors in November. The more than 30,000-square-foot building features a spacious dining hall on the first floor with seating for 500, a small raised stage, drop-down video screen, surround sound, Forrest Place coffee bar, and a glass-walled art gallery. The second floor features offices for grade-level deans and two innovation classrooms/labs.
The students are: Daniel Cai, Brett Hauser, Carter Kardesch, Claire Kardesch, Anna McLauchlin, Ellie Ragiel, James Henry Ray, and Gabrielle Small. From approximately 1.6 million program entrants, these students are among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants. In addition, the National Merit program designated three seniors as National Hispanic Scholars: Amiri Scrutchin, Alexandra Herrera, and Lillyana Stefanakis.
On October 17, The Rt. Rev. Bishop Andrew Doyle led a blessing of the USC and predicted the student center would become a nexus for communitybuilding and creativity. Founding Trustee Lynda Underwood and her family, including son and Trustee Duncan; his wife Sarah; son Austin ’22; and future Knight, daughter Riley, joined the celebration to usher in a new era to EHS. Other notables at the blessing included trustees Shelley Barineau and Trey Snider, who worked side-by-side with
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the architects and contractors on budgets and design. As he surveyed the crowd gathered on the new plaza, Head of School Ned Smith remarked at how the campus expansion brought together both founding families and new families for planning and fundraising, a collaboration that will benefit generations of future Knights. At Open House on November 7, prospective students and parents were enthralled by the vibrant space as they toured the facility where two innovation spaces will open for classes and extracurricular activities this spring. Since welcoming students and faculty to the new dining hall, Food Services Director Susana Borges-Pasini and her staff have dazzled diners with incredible dishes such as roasted pig, carne asada, paella, homemade soups, and daily slices of pizza. In just a short time, the Underwood Student Center has become the heart of campus and a stunning space that exemplifies what it means to stand out.