Pegasus School takes second place in debate competition [Corrected]

A Huntington Beach private school took second place Saturday in a national, invitation-only debate competition for middle school students.

The Middle School Debate Team at Pegasus School, which serves students in Newport-Mesa, won first in the tournament and second in the championship round at the 2012 Middle School Public Debate Program Nationals at Claremont McKenna College, according to Pegasus officials.

Eighth-grader Olivia Jaber was also honored as the best debater of the competition with the Golden Gavel award.

Pegasus sent three teams of three students, who all placed in the top 25.

FOR THE RECORD:
An earlier version incorrectly said the Pegasus School team won the 2012 Middle School Public Debate Program Nationals. The school came in second in the championships but came in first in the tournament.

The first team, made up of Olivia, Matin Eshaghi and Leah Phillips placed third and received the most individual speaker points. Matin placed seventh as the best debater.

Team two placed 24th and was comprised of Claire Dwyer, Ellie Pietsch and Shane Larimer. Claire placed 14th as top debater.

The third team — Alisa Bhakta, Ann Garth and Matt Ahgaian — placed 25th.

— Britney Barnes

Twitter: @britneyjbarnes