Advantage Communications

06/15/2026

4 of our nationals bound students from Peoria, IL performed at the city's Juneteenth festival to an audience of over 5,000 guests. 3 students presented speeches to highlight the importance of emancipation and one, the former Little Miss Juneteenth, was a Junior Grand Marshall! Thank you Dr. Gregory Wilson, Yani Collective, NAACP, Councilman Andre Allen, Dr. Sharon-Kherat, Mayor Rita Ali, and our esteemed partners, Peoria Public Schools, for this opportunity. Our students are excited to represent Peoria this week at the National Speech and Debate Association Nationals Tournament. Wish us luck as we head to Virginia for the competition!

05/05/2026

Peoria's Speech and Debate camp is open for registration! Only 70 seats available. Deadline to apply is May 15.
* When: June 1st–June 18th (weekdays only)
* Time: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
* Where: Multicultural Dual Language Academy (2612 N Bootz Avenue, Peoria, IL 61604)
* Who: Current 3rd–8th grade students attending Peoria 150 schools in 2026-27
* Camp is 100% free
* Breakfast and lunch will be provided: breakfast served from 7:15-7:45 AM (students can be dropped off no earlier than 7:15 AM for breakfast)
* Transportation is not available: students must be dropped off by 8:30 AM and picked up by a parent/guardian by 12:30 PM to remain eligible.

Sign up using this link: https://bit.ly/SP20267

Text 708-689-3945 or email our director: [email protected] for any questions.

We hope to see your student this summer!

04/27/2026

We are deeply grateful to Heavyweight Boxing legend, Buster Douglas, for his motivational presence at our Illinois District Championship, where he empowered students to grow and thrive. This year, we had the privilege of serving over 400 students in the Illinois region, and our top 270 students concluded the season with renewed confidence in their speaking and reading abilities. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Bradley's Athletic Department, Lincoln's Avid Club, Bradley's ALPFA chapter, President Gregory Wilson, Rev. Kimberly Hayes, Jennifer Farrell, Pam Adams, high school alumni, Councilman Allen, Superintendent Kherat, newly elected board members Andy Diaz and Sarah Howard, and all of our friends and families from Peoria, Calumet City, and Illinois who generously volunteered as judges and cheerleaders. Your collective support has been instrumental in making this tournament a resounding success! Thank you WCBU News for covering the event!

We look forward to continuing to programs with our Illinois partners:

Peoria Public Schools District 150
Calumet City ,IL The City of Calumet City
City of Peoria Illinois - Government
Lincoln Elementary School District 156

03/25/2026

"Now, instead of acting out in school, I do it on stage." Students, families, and educators are demonstrating that speech and debate can be the intervention kids need. As Marvin P. explains, "If more kids and schools get the program, then think of the lives you can change." Special thanks for Superintendent Dr. Desmoulin-Kherat and Peoria's Board Members for your years of support!

The Peoria Public Schools Board of Education gathered Monday evening for a meeting that stretched well over two hours, marked by a student showcase, a contract debate, and a bittersweet goodbye to outgoing Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat.

03/25/2026

“Speech basically saved me because being loud and extra isn’t a behavior problem. It’s a skill,” Marvin Polnitz, humorous interpretation champion who won in his first appearance as a 5th grader at the NSDA Middle School Championship. "Teachers were asking Ms. Mariela to kick me off the team. I felt like everyone was ready to give up on me, so I gave up on them first, but she didn’t."

Seventh grader Folanda James said the program changed how she views herself.

“Speech and debate changed my life. I was known as the girl with the big mouth now I’m a speech and debate poet. It gave my personality a definition,” James said.

Our Peoria staff, lead by Mariela Garcia-Alvarado (director), Raul Ruano (manager), and Emily Trader (manager) are changing lives in Central Illinois. Advantage Communications has one core mission: turn today's learners into tomorrow's leaders; and our Peoria students and families are rising to the occasion with our staff's support. Great job students and parents! Thank you Peoria Public Schools District 150 for continuing this partnership; and thank you Caterpillar for your investment in Peoria's Speech and Debate programs.

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/mw4djapn

Watch our students present here: https://www.youtube.com/live/aZLCa_G6eR8?t=2933&si=UTMkT54BqCBO53x5

Company puts $300,000 into Peoria speech and debate program for nearly 400 students.

03/13/2026

We are proud to support an organization that helps students continue their education 😊

THANK YOU to Advantage Communications!

2026 BALL SPONSOR
6th Annual Emilio Rivera Celebrity Golf Classic

On behalf of the Hispanic 100 Foundation, we would like to thank Advantage Communications, Inc and the Hon. Sal Tinajero for their generous support of our upcoming 6th Annual Emilio Rivera Celebrity Golf Classic!

See you on the course!

For more information on this year's event,
please contact:

Michelle Rose, Executive Director
[email protected]

Emilio Rivera
Advantage Communications

02/23/2026

🎭 WOW! What a weekend! Our 2026 Mardi Gras Speech and Debate Tournament in Peoria, IL was a massive success! 💜💚💛

This past Saturday, February 21st, the hallways of Trewyn Middle School were buzzing with energy as hundreds of dedicated volunteers and families packed the classrooms to support over 300 of Illinois brilliant young minds for a full day of public speaking and interpretation. Beyond their oratorical talent, their genuine passion for these critical social issues truly resonated with the audience!

🌟This tournament marked an exciting milestone for our program: our first official regional expansion! A total of 12 schools joined us for this tournament, including our most recent partners in the Chicago area. Lincoln Elementary 156 represented Calumet City with absolute excellence, confidence, and professionalism. Competing in an event of this size takes courage and teamwork, and Lincoln showed exactly what they are made of, bringing home 9 total recognitions (3 semifinalists, 6 finalists, and 2 runners-up)!
A special shoutout to Principal Donald, Vice-Principal Turner-Wingba, Board Member Danielle Rivera, and Coach Seneres for working tirelessly to prepare these students for this event!

🏆 Overall Individual Champions of the Tournament
Elementary Declamation: Justice D. (Annie Jo Gordon)

Elementary Informative: Barbie A. (Liberty)

Elementary Original Oratory: Nova B. (Whittier)

Elementary Poetry: Marley H. (Franklin)

Elementary Prose: Langston F. (Trewyn)

Elementary Storytelling: Treasure F. (Trewyn)

Middle School Interpretation: Marvin P. (Trewyn)

Middle School Public Speaking: Lucero Miguel R. (Annie Jo Gordon)

Spanish Interpretation: Virginia Rua G. (Annie Jo Gordon)

Elementary Royal Rumble: Adonis Mozell P. (Von Steuben)

Middle School Royal Rumble: Martin R. (Annie Jo Gordon)

🏫 Team Sweepstakes Results

Elementary Champions:
🥇 1st Place: Trewyn
🥈 2nd Place: Whittier
🥉 3rd Place: Lincoln
🏅 4th Place: Maude Sanders

Middle School Champions:
🥇 1st Place: Annie Jo Gordon
🥈 2nd Place: Sterling
🥉 3rd Place: Glen Oak
🏅 4th Place: Ford Allen

A huge thank you to the families, judges, and school staff who provided such an encouraging environment for our students. Thank you for continuing to support opportunities like speech and debate that build literacy, confidence, critical thinking, and student voice. It takes a village, and we are so grateful for you! 🤝

📸 Check out some highlights and photos from the weekend below! 📅 Mark your calendars: We can’t wait to finish the season strong at our District Championship at Manual High School on April 25th!

02/16/2026

Our FSD speechies recently competed in the online Mardi Gras competition 💜💛 Huge congratulations to the Pacific Drive elementary students for their team spirit and awards! 🥳 Next up…. District Champs!