The Highest Honor of the Chico Parade of Lights: Our Grand Marshal

Kelly Staley served as Superintendent of Chico Unified School District from 2007 to her retirement on July 1, 2025. Chico Unified, with an average daily attendance of 12,000 students, consists of 21 schools ranging from pre-school to high school, twelve of which have been honored with California Distinguished School status.  Chico Unified is also the authorizer of eight local charter schools.

Kelly was born in Chico and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English as well as her teaching credential from California State University, Chico. Her educational career began as an English teacher at San Clemente High School in the Capistrano Unified School District. Kelly completed her Master’s Degree at Pepperdine University and began her administrative career within the Lodi Unified School District. She served two years as Assistant Principal and nine years as Principal at Lodi High School during which time she also completed her doctorial coursework at the University of the Pacific. In 2001, Kelly returned to Chico as the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services for the Chico Unified School District.  In 2007, she became Chico Unified’s first female Superintendent.  In her role as Superintendent, she made it a goal to help prepare Chico Unified students for life beyond high school through career readiness, student accessibility to technology and ensuring diversified academic courses.  She has also been at the helm for the passage of three school bonds resulting in over $250M for facility improvements. 

Kelly believes the community should have a strong voice as well as an active role in the education of its students. This belief has resulted in strong community ties. Kelly’s collaborative partnerships include her membership in Association os California School Administrators (ACSA) where she has served on the Superintendent’s Council and chaired the 2016 ACSA Superintendent Symposium. She has served on the California State University, Chico Advisory Board, the Chico Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Chico Rotary Board. 

In retirement, Kelly looks forward to continuing to be an active part of our wonderful Chico community.

Ken is a WWII Marine Disabled Vet. Born & raised in Seal Harbor Maine. Came to CA in the early 1950’s to the Bay Area. Moved to Chico in 2001.

Occupation: Accountant/Controller

Ken celebrated his 100 birthday with 4 generations of family and friends in August.

Ken is a man of Faith, always serving his country & community. Lifetime member of Shriners and Rotary.

Ken is very guick witted!!  His favorite lunch is a Costco dog.

The 2025 Educators of the Year are Coach Tallerico and Señora Topete-Tallerico from Pleasant Valley High School.

Coach Tally and Señora are both known in our community as the “Old School Teachers”. They have served thousands of students in the Chico community as Teachers with strong styles, guiding their students to learn work ethics, demonstrate integrity, and to show love and respect for others while remaining humble. They have so much fun with their jobs and feel very blessed to serve as Teachers and Coaches. They want to express their sincere thanks to the community of Chico for their love and appreciation.
Coach Tallerico aka Coach Tally has been teaching at Pleasant Valley High School for 31 years as a PE teacher. In the 90s he also taught Health, Drivers Ed and Social Studies. He has been coaching for 33 years. He has coached football, basketball, baseball and softball. He is in his 30th year of coaching the PVHS Varsity Softball team. His softball teams have won 7 League Championships and 10 Section Championships. Coach Tally has also served as a Master Teacher for Chico State.

Señora Topete-Tallerico has been teaching at Pleasant Valley High School for 35 years as a Spanish teacher and in the 90s she also taught English as a Second Language. Señora also had the pleasure of teaching at Chico Junior and Bidwell Junior High in the 90s and taught at Chico State for the Korean Summer Institute for several years. Señora has served as a Mentor Teacher, District Liaison and Support Provider for the BTSA Program for the Chico Unified School District and a Master Teacher for Chico State.
Coach Tallerico and Señora were both raised in Weed, Ca and they are the proud children of Immigrant parents from Mexico, Italy and Oklahoma. They are both first generation college graduates, both graduating from Chico State.

Coach Tallerico and Señora both attended Weed High School where they became high school sweethearts and have been together for 40 years. They are the proud parents of Monique and Anthony Tallerico.

They are FOREVER GRATEFUL for this recognition and promise to continue to be dedicated, hardworking, passionate, creative and full of love and energy for their students.