Not content to conform to the typical things girls did in the mid-1950s, Santell declared her own mutiny of sorts.

"I didn't want to do the knitting and sewing thing," she explained. Instead, the then-13-year-old joined the Civil Air Patrol, where she attained the rank of flight officer in its cadet program.

The multistep program focuses on aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness and a code of ethics.

For 7è years, Santell participated in CAP activities, including summer encampments at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, N.Y. "It was basically 10 days of intense boot camp," she recalled. "It gives you self-discipline.

Besides, I like to get down and dirty. I like to play in the dirt."

Years later when Santell heard about a friend starting a Civil Air Patrol squadron in Meadville, the Mercer County resident decided it was time to revisit the program that had such a positive influence on her life.

Rejoining the Civil Air Patrol in 1997, Santell later founded the West Middlesex Composite 122, where she is now a first lieutenant and squadron commander.

Her 15-year-old nephew, Larry Lineberger, is a staff sergeant, responsible for marching and drilling the cadets.