Mission Statement

We believe that all students should have access to the skills developed through speech and debate. For this purpose, we partner with school districts across the country to provide speech and debate programs to students.

Students today are expected to brand themselves digitally and in person. Advantage Communications focuses on personal development, teamwork, empathy, writing, and public speaking to ensure students prepare to enter today's workforce. Advantage communication believes we all have a voice, but it takes practice to feel empowered and to lead. Our students learn how to lead others because they make the most of their resources, networks, and skills to drive their lives and become tomorrow's leaders.

Sal Tinajero
Founder & CEO

Sal Tinajero, an educator, started his speech and debate team in 2001 with a small group at Fullerton. He has led many teams to State and National awards and knew he could expand the impact of his program to reach even more students. Now 20 years later, he has created multiple successful speech programs in Orange County, LA County, and Illinois with over 3,000 students in our program annually. His leadership inspired many others to join the cause, bringing hundreds of renowned coaches to his team and instilling the vision of creating future leaders, critical thinkers, and passionate speakers. 


Adriena (Adri) Toghia
Vice President & Director

Adriena competed in forensics for 7 years and has been coaching since 2016. She has a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Development and a Master's in Education with a focus on English Learners. Her passion for education stems from her experiences as a first-generation American in her family. "School was incredibly challenging for me, but I had the drive to excel. Speech and debate leveled the playing field. Your grit and skills are challenged every day in this activity. I am forever grateful to this activity and aim to give as many students access to the skills and community that speech and debate provides."

Adriena competed at Fullerton Union High School under Sal Tinajero. She then went on to compete at California Baptist University and holds 2 National titles in Prose and Duo Interpretation. Before her time at Advantage, she was the Assistant Director of Forensics at Azusa Pacific University for 3 years, where she coached multiple local and National award-winning students. Once joining the team at Advantage, she supported our Fullerton District partner as their Program Director before taking on her role as Vice President. 

Adriena was selected as the 2024 Middle School Coach of the Year by the National Speech and Debate Association.

Meet the Directors

  • Joel Anguiano

    SENIOR DIRECTOR

    Full Bio

  • Mariela Garcia-Alvarado

    SENIOR DIRECTOR

    Full Bio

  • Claribel Gomez

    DISTRICT DIRECTOR

    Full Bio

  • Raul Ruano

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Full Bio

  • Emily Trader

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Full Bio

  • Megan Thompson

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Full Bio

  • Amelia Burns

    DISTRICT MANAGEMENT TRAINEE

    Full Bio

Meet our Lead Coaches

  • Caroline Doan

    FULLERTON LEAD COACH

  • Kimberly Cruz-Alvarado

    HACIENDA LA PUENTE LEAD COACH

  • Erin Roberts

    ADVANTAGE PRIVATE CENTER LEAD COACH

  • Rita Rafael

    ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEAD COACH

Meet our Team!

  • Coach Miguel

  • Coach LaToya

  • Coach Israel

  • Coach Mikaela

  • Coach Michael

  • Coach Teresa

  • Coach Maddie

  • Coach Anthony

  • Coach Sara

  • Coach Gillian

  • Coach Lupe

  • Coach Guadalupe

  • Coach Lizeth

  • Coach Raechel

  • Coach Giselle

  • Coach Eric

  • Coach Nikko

  • Coach Gio

  • Coach Caroline

  • Coach Adam

  • Coach Reva

  • Coach Abril

  • Coach Joseph

  • Coach Karla

  • Coach Minh

  • Coach Cal

  • Coach Stephanie

  • Coach Christian

  • Coach Fernanda

  • Coach Nathan

  • Coach Krizel

  • Coach Samantha

  • Coach Nicole

Join our Team!

We are currently hiring for the walk-on coach position. Apply today by emailing your resume to info@adcominc.us.

VOICES Program Lead position(s) are now open. Applications will be accepted until November 13, 2024. To apply, please submit your resume to info@adcominc.us.