Tutoring Dakota

“I'm not sure if I am sending this (email) to the right person, but I wanted to thank Lubrizol. When I was 5 years old, my father passed away in a car accident. It was a hard time in my life. I remember a little over a year later, in second grade, a gentleman from Lubrizol came to my school in Painesville, Ohio once a week (perhaps more) to eat lunch with me. We played checkers a lot and he would always let me beat him. It may not have seemed like much to me back then, but I realize now that it was a big deal. I truly appreciate the way Lubrizol gave back to the community and helped someone in need.” 

That was eleven years ago. Today, Dakota, is a junior at Kent State University in Ohio, studying managerial marketing. He thinks a lot at night before bed and one night was thinking of his past. He remembered the Lubrizol employee eating lunch with him, reading with him and playing checkers (his favorite game at that time). Dakota thought how nice it was to have someone take that much time out of his life to spend with him—and how great it was that Lubrizol let him do it.

The kind gentleman is Angelo Cicconetti, a Painesville employee of 28 years. Angelo was a participant in Lubrizol’s student mentoring program and was Dakota’s mentor at Huntington Elementary School.

When contacted about Dakota’s email to Lubrizol, Angelo said, “I found a great old file with a picture of him and some of his old notes and pictures he had given me. These are certainly very touching moments. I am so glad to be able to be a part of such a great effort and to work for a company that allows us to participate in these kinds of worthy activities. This is truly what it is all about!”

Dakota gives Angelo credit for influencing his behavior as he grew up.” Angelo set me on the right path that other kids who didn’t have this opportunity may not have taken. I stayed in school and stayed out of trouble.”