Excellence runs in the family for sisters Paramita and Sumitra Pati. Both girls achieved the highest academic honor available when they graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School as valedictorians of their classes.

Sumitra, who is the latest O-W valedictorian, said she never planned to be named top of her class. Her main goal was to work hard and get a scholarship to college, she said. Both Patis managed to attract numerous scholarships for their academic work.

"I thought, 'If I work my hardest and try my best, wherever that puts me, I'll be happy,' " she said.

In the fall, Sumitra will head to the College of Charleston to pursue a degree in biochemistry -- a road her older sister has traveled also, receiving her degree in biochemistry, and graduating cum laude, from the Lowcountry school in 2007.

While Sumitra begins coursework at C of C, Paramita, who graduated from O-W in 2003, will make her way to the Medical College of Georgia, where she will begin earning a doctorate in biomedical science.

She said her ultimate goal is to perform biomedical research as a medical scientist, most probably cancer research due to an interest gained from her experiences volunteering at the Regional Medical Center and a string of childhood pets lost to the disease -- both of which opened her eyes to the lack of cancer treatment available.

Paramita credits her success to the motivation she received from her parents. The girls' mother, Mitali Wong, is an English professor at Claflin University, and their father, Dr. Hugine Franklin Wong, is a retired S.C. State University professor.

The elder Pati said her advice to other students striving to succeed academically is to determine their goal and garner support from family, parents and teachers.

"Decide what it is that you want in life, and work hard to perfect that goal," she said.

Both sisters were active while O-W students. Paramita was a member of the National Honor Society, the O-W soccer and varsity tennis teams and volunteered with the American Red Cross. During the summers, she was a swim coach at S.C. State and a counselor with the HBCU-UP program at Claflin.

Sumitra was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, International Club, Robotics Club, Salsa Club and tennis team.

"My experience at O-W was really good," Sumitra said. "A lot of people don't give O-W the credit it deserves, but there are some really good teachers there."

Sumitra excelled academically at an early age. Because she has been enrolling in courses at Claflin since she was in the eighth grade, the younger sister was able to enroll at C of C this fall as a sophomore.

"(Claflin University) has been a big support," Sumitra said, adding that the faculty and staff have became somewhat of a family, in part because of her mother's employment at the institution. Sumitra also volunteered last summer with Claflin chemistry professor Dr. Angela Peters.

Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Sumitra said she plans to attend medical school, specialize in plastic surgery and eventually practice in Orangeburg. She said the RMC Summer Enrichment Program allowed her to shadow a local surgeon to get a feel for the day-to-day work life of a medical professional.

Paramita, too, is gaining experience in the medical field. During the summer of 2007, she interned at the Medical University of South Carolina in osteoclast biology, and she is currently working for CVS Pharmacy.

Sumitra said maintaining a good work-life balance was key to her success. She said students should maintain a balance between community service and personal life, as well as mental and spiritual life.

It's true -- the girls are not all work. In her spare time, Paramita enjoys going to the beach, reading, traveling and taking care of her pets. Sumitra enjoys staying at home and spending time with her family and pets. She also likes to bake, write, travel and do yard work and has studied piano for several years.

T&D Features Writer Candace Newson can be reached by e-mail at cnewson@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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