RENO -- Back for the third-straight season, the Reno Aces Baseball Club has begun to present the U.S. Bank Student Heroes program for 2012, rewarding deserving students throughout Northern Nevada.

On May 1, Aces infielder Ryan Wheeler and relief pitcher Bryan Woodall, along with Archie and members of the Aces staff, visited the Oasis Academy in Fallon.

“I tried to talk about something that these kids could chase, and there were a lot of baseball and softball players in there,” said Wheeler, who attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles before he became a part of the Diamondbacks organization. “Overall it was a lot of fun, and hopefully we made some kind of a difference in their lives.”

Assemblies will also be held at Agnes Risley Elementary (May 18), Mount Rose Elementary (May 23), Pleasant Valley Elementary (May 31) and Stead Elementary (June 1) to round out the 2012 program.

Since 2010, the Aces and U.S. Bank have partnered in the program, which seeks to stress the value of education, work ethic and perseverance to students in the area. The program has been conducted in every corner of the region, including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Fallon, Gardnerville and Lake Tahoe.

Selected schools are treated to an assembly featuring Aces players and the club’s mascot, Archie. Players participate in a question-and-answer session with students, motivating the children to pursue their education and relaying personal stories of overcoming obstacles. Archie encourages students to follow the guidelines of Triple-A: attendance, attitude and academics.

Following each assembly, the Aces and U.S. Bank donate tickets to the students based on academic achievement, attendance and superior citizenship in the classroom as determined by their teachers.

The chosen schools applied online at www.RenoAces.com. The registration process for the 2013 program will open next winter. Submissions will be accepted from teachers, administrators, students and parents.

Tickets for all home games are on-sale now at RenoAces.com, by calling 334-7000 or visiting the Aces Ballpark Ticket Office. Discounted full and partial season ticket packages are still available, as well. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the season, visit www.RenoAces.com, follow the club on Twitter (@aceball) or like the team on Facebook.