Year:Senior Position:Midfielder Hometown:Pleasanton,Calif.

Name:John Faletoese Year:Senior Position:Defensive tackle Hometown:Carmichael,Calif.

Several California universitieshave discontinued family health insurance programs for graduate students,claiming they are more cost than benefit for both parties involved. Rising rates have recently caused UC Berkeley to cut health care for the dependents of graduate students,while Stanford students lost theirs two years ago.

Name:Keala Peterson Year:Freshman Position:Outside hitter Hometown:Sebastopol,Calif.

Before the season started,senior captain Kim Conley had a very good idea how her season wouldend – by being the first Aggie of the Division I era to qualify for the national championships,she proved herself right. But her season was more than just the80th-place finish against a field of252at the national championships. In fact,it was much more than just any of her individual performances. “She’s a personthatepitomizes the balance between striving for individual goals while making sure she’s motivating and holding teammates accountable as well,” head coach Drew Warternburg said.

Though Proposition5was defeated in November by a margin of20percent,there are still other state-run programs that use drug treatment as an alternative to prison. Prop36is one such program.Voted into law in2000,this proposition gives a limited number of people sentenced to shorter prison terms the option to receive drug treatment instead of prison.

OnTuesday night,the DavisJointUnified School District schooldistrict held its first “virtual town hall meeting.” Superintendent James Hammond,Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Bruce Colby and School Board President Sheila Allenaddressed questionsparents,teachers and members of the community submitted beforehand.

TODAY Student parade marshal nominations E-mail:vicechair@picnicday.ucadavis.edu Picnic Day is looking for nominations for the student parade marshal.Send nominations to thee-mailaddress above.

Ilove this time of year.It’s a time for crunchy leaves,hot chocolate and rain boots,anditis generally characterized as a time to think of othersand show compassion and kindness for your fellow man.It’s hard to not get a warm,fuzzy feeling inside when you think about the season.There is no end toperfect rainy days,rest and relaxation (at least after finals are over) and most of all,family.

Before tip-off Wednesday night against No.18Arizona State,UC Davis was outmatched on paper in almost every phase of the game. The Aggies did not let that get to them. After falling behind14-0in the game’s first3:18of play,the Aggies matched the Sun Devils point-for-point from then on in a73-59loss at the Pavilion.

Being that the scheduling gods just aren’t on my side (two finals and two papers all on Tuesday are just the beginning of my suffering) combined with the fact that stuffy noses and horrible headaches have recently become my new best friends,I can confidently say that I’m very ready for the upcoming break.

As the end of2008hovers,we reach the conclusion to a momentous and remarkable year.This year,events occurred and questions were asked,some left unanswered.What is undeniable,however,is their significance.This year can not be ignored.