Graduated from California Institute of Arts with a BFA in Theater.
Her father, Bill Strong, was the Associated Press bureau chief at the Illinois Statehouse. He would perform in the Gridiron show put on by the state corps, imitating the governor. He is a big supporter of Cecily.
Attended Oak Park River Forest High School and Chicago Academy of Arts, graduating in 2002.
She played a Latina in her first show on "Saturday Night Live", but she herself is not of Hispanic background.