Whiz Kid: Cecilia Loughlin

When we caught up with Cecillia Loughlin, an up and coming senior at Moravian Academy, she was taking a 45-minute break from her intensive program at where she engaged in what seems like a junior version of The Apprentice, without the boardroom and the threat of getting fired.

For her and 69 other U.S. and international high school students preparing to enter the business world through the global economy, the PA School for Global Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University (PSGE) allows sophomores, juniors and seniors to dive head first into Corporate America with exposure to “topics of entrepreneurship, globalization, team building, project management, leadership.”

The program goal is to inspire creativity, innovation and leadership and is highly competitive. To gain a position, students must have a solid application with evidence of academic ability, leadership, entrepreneurship and community service.

Cecilia has had an affinity for international relations since living in Asia when her father was transferred to Tokyo and then Shanghai through his employment at Air Products when she was in the fourth grade.

“When I lived in Asia, I traveled throughout Asia, Africa and Australia and it was eye opening," she said. “In the business world, you cannot just know your own culture. You have to know about other cultures.”

With five years of immersion in Asian culture, Cecelia returned to Bethlehem and entered only to be accepted in a Rotary Exchange Program where she lived in Taipei for a month. 

While her host family was busy, she learned how to manage herself during the day and, located a university where she took Chinese classes because she did not even know the language. It is because of all her experiences and travels that she has developed a keen sense of independence, confidence and self-initiative to pursue her goals.

“For me the most life changing thing has been living overseas,” said Cecilia. “I wouldn’t be the same person I am today ... I learned to take the initiative with my own life because no one was in Taipei to plan things for me.”

Also a three sport varsity athlete, Cecilia participates in Cross Country, Basketball and Track and Field. As a discus thrower, she placed 14^th in the PIAA District 11 Championship Tournament.

“I made it in AA Districts for Cross Country and Track and Field so, I am pretty proud of that,” said Cecelia. “I know I can do better and I am going to do better next year.”

Cecelia has attained High Honor Roll every semester since 9^th grade.  With a G.P.A. of 4.0, she is in the top 10% of her class at Moravian Academy.

She has taken the initiative at her school to start both a Book Club and an International Club, the latter of which she helped organize a fund raiser event for a Pakistani charity that successfully raised $1,500 to be donated towards education and development in Pakistan.

Although she did not necessarily have an affinity for business before, she is loving the PSGE program. Now she is excited that her knowledge of the Chinese language and love of travel can potentially be applied to a career goal. She plans to pursue International Relations in college.

At least for this summer, Cecilia is at Lehigh working with a diverse group at the PSGE, including a young woman from Vietnam and a young man from Spain. They have been assigned to develop a new marketing strategy for the Allentown Economic Development Corporation.

“It makes it very interesting to get a global perspective on what we are doing,” said Cecilia.

Their project is the assist AEDC is developing a marketing strategy with will attract small businesses to Allentown. “They help current small businesses expand and bring new small businesses into Allentown,” said Cecilia, “We thought of using social media, business apps or ads on WDIY.” Each week her team meets with the corporation to discuss the project, development and outcomes.

At the age of 17, Cecilia is getting a taste of the board room experience and, with her determination, initiative and grasp of international relations this whiz kid is bound to hear the words, “you’re hired” maybe even from the Donald himself one day.