On Aug. 5, Anthony Cano and Michele Twist Cano awarded St. Anthony Catholic High School (SACHS) incoming senior Alejandro Flores the 2005-06 Michael George Cuneo Twist Scholarship in the school’s chapel.
    Twist graduated from St. Anthony this past May and died tragically in a car accident weeks later. Twist’s parents created the scholarship in his honor.
    The scholarship was a fitting tribute to a young man who always was thinking of others. “Michael was very giving” his mother recalled. Whether giving as a blood and platelet donor or giving his energies as a CYO coach for children, this spirit of giving was a part of his life. At the scholarship presentation, his father also remembered “Michael as a great son and brother to Catherine and Christian.”

    When determining criteria for the scholarship, consideration was given to financial need, dedication to St. Anthony Catholic High School and community service rendered; in short, “the most deserving senior,” said Cano.
    Depending on the occasion, Twist found a way to give that would benefit others. As his father said, “Each and every day I come to see how appropriate his instant messenger screen name really was: “AStory2Tell.”

    The stories of his generous spirit are many. He established a scholarship to honor Theresa Skloss who was vice principal when Twist was a student at St. Gregory the Great School. After Skloss died while serving as principal at St. Gerard Catholic High School, Twist started a scholarship in her honor at St. Gregory the Great School.
    Apart from his studies at which he excelled, he found time to involve himself in activities at SACHS — theatre (“Best Actor” in school production of “Pride & Prejudice”), the varsity debate team, varsity soccer and choir.
    It was in the choir that Twist, a senior, and Flores, a junior, shared close positions. Twist stood in the tier above his friend.

    Flores, like Twist, understands service. He also is involved in many activities at SACHS. To date, Flores has logged more than 2,000 hours in community service.
    After an episode of vandalism at San Fernando Cathedral, Flores organized a fund-raiser to raise monies to assist San Fernando Cathedral’s restoration project.
    Flores, in acknowledging the scholarship gift, thanked his friend’s parents and said to the assembly that “Michael’s memory will not be forgotten.”
    In death, Twist continued to give. His tissues and eyes were donated with the eyes successfully implanted in two individuals.
    His parents also plan to establish a scholarship in their son’s name at St. Gregory the Great School so that another student has the opportunity to attend St. Anthony Catholic High School.
    Contributions to the scholarship fund may be sent to: SACHS-Michael Twist Scholarship, 3200 McCullough, San Antonio, Texas 78212.