The East Islip School Business Partnership hosted its fourth annual Mentor Me Mocktail Party on Nov. 18 in the high school library, offering students a dynamic opportunity to strengthen their public speaking and networking skills. Organized by School Business Partnership coordinator Bridget Lopiccolo, the event serves as the second phase of the program’s yearly sequence, falling between the Catch-a-Career Breakfast and upcoming Shadow Days.

At the event, students circulated among dozens of participating business professionals using a creative bingo-style challenge to guide their conversations. Each student received a bingo card featuring the names of professionals in attendance, encouraging them to introduce themselves, practice their elevator pitches and ask thoughtful questions as they worked to complete their card and earn prizes.

“You want to really make a good impression when you go to a Shadow Day, so that’s why today’s skill of learning how to quickly introduce yourself and talk about your goals is so valuable,” Lopiccolo told the students. “I was impressed with all of you. You looked the part and did a great job.”

The Mentor Me program continues later this winter with hands-on Shadow Days in local workplaces, where the students will apply the communication skills they practiced at the Mocktail Party in real professional settings.