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Instead of enjoying the easy living this summer, about 50 students enrolled in a college readiness program at 188bet������ַ College and ended up working pretty hard.

But it’ll be worth it. By participating in the college’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) these students are better prepared to stay on track when fall semester rolls around in four weeks.

They toured six college campuses and took courses focusing on educational growth, college study skills and interpersonal development.

The students were recognized at a ceremony on campus last week. Meet two of them:

Shania Larkin, 17, Stagg High School graduate

Q. What is your background?

A. “I’m originally from Sacramento and then I moved to Stockton around the middle of the seventh grade. I kind of had a rough background. My brother got killed when I was a sophomore. He’s the reason I really changed my life around. He gave me another perspective when he died, of life and the turns that you shouldn’t take.”

Q. How does the summer program help?

A. “This has really given me a head start. If I wouldn’t have taken this program, I would have been lost. I’ve met so many good people here. I’m much more confident heading into the fall semester.”

Q What are your goals?

A. “I do see myself transferring. I don’t know exactly where yet, but I want to get into sociology and journalism. I feel like they go hand in hand. It makes me excited to talk about it. I love to get to know people’s stories.”

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Makonnen Bent, 19, recently moved to Stockton

Q. What is your background?

A. “I’m from the Bay Area, actually, from Oakland. I just came in for a counseling appointment and they suggested I should get connected with the Summer Readiness Program. I don’t know anyone in Stockton. I’m in a transitional housing program because I grew up in foster care."

Q. How does the summer program help?

A. “This is a great way for me to acclimate into the area and meet people, get my education. It’s a very interactive class, we talk a lot about our personal experiences and relationships and what it takes to realize our true selves.”

Q. What are your goals?

A. “I’m going after my MBA. I really want to focus on corporate social responsibility, because I want to make a large impact. I want to see immediate results. We toured UC Berkeley, which I loved. I definitely want to go there.”