Rising Stars: Meet Cameron Evans of Cleveland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Evans

Hi Cameron, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Cameron Evans, I am a 16-year-old computer programmer from Cleveland, Ohio. Ever since I was 10, I’ve had a passion for computers and programming, I taught myself how to re-install an operating system on a computer at the age of 10 using an old, hand-me-down system I was given. Once I’ve successfully done it, I was amazed and got hooked on computers. I later taught myself how to create apps and games using free tools from the Internet and video tutorials. I later successfully created my first application which was a planning tool.

Computers had now become my new hobby and I was loving it, the fact that I could create or do anything I wanted with them with absolutely zero limits was so amazing to me. Later on, I started to wonder how I could publish the apps and games I created online and after many tutorials, I learned how to make my first website in HTML.

Moving on a few years, I started my freshman year in high school and noticed that students could know nothing about other students unless they were in the same classes or extracurricular activities. It was difficult to connect and form friendships beyond our immediate circles. Around this time, I was also inspired by Thefacebook.com, created by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, which was revolutionizing how college students connected and interacted online.

So, it hit me: why not create an online social media platform exclusively for high school students? A place where students could create profiles, blog things, and connect over common interests and hobbies. The idea was to create interaction within a safe and controlled environment.

I got straight to work on the project during October 2023, I spent countless hours developing the core features of the website alone. I worked hard making the site user-friendly, visually appealing, and secure for high school students. After five months of development and testing, the site was ready to launch on April 2, 2024, as HighSter.net. The initial launch of HighSter.net was very overwhelming, mostly due to the fact that I didn’t know whether or not my code would work on another person’s end. I sent the link to a few friends and got them to sign up, to my relieve, my code worked fine on their end.

I hope HighSter.net grows to become a central online social hub for high school students across America. By offering a platform where students can express themselves, stay informed about what’s going on at their school, and build meaningful connections, I aim to enhance the high school experience for everyone with HighSter.net.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been mostly a smooth road. However, a few challenges have emerged along the way. One significant challenge is the site’s moderation. Ensuring that the environment remains positive and welcoming requires vigilance. This involves addressing any issues that arise promptly and fairly.

Despite these challenges, overcoming them has been a rewarding experience, contributing to both my personal growth and the site. The skills and insights gained from handling these issues have been invaluable.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a 16-year-old computer programmer, and I created HighSter.net, a social media platform specifically designed for high school students. HighSter.net aims to provide a safe and engaging online community where students can connect, share experiences, create new friendships from common interests, and so much more. The idea for HighSter.net was created out of my own experiences as a high school student, recognizing the need for an online space where teenagers can interact freely yet securely, away from the often overwhelming presence of adults and younger children on other platforms.

On HighSter.net, users can join or create clubs based on their hobbies, favorite subjects, or extracurricular activities, and more. Additionally, HighSter.net prioritizes user safety with privacy settings and active moderation to prevent bullying and inappropriate content, keeping it a safe and fun experience.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
For me, running HighSter.net and knowing that I created such a large project alone with no help in development is incredibly important to me. HighSter.net is more than just a small project, it’s more of a reflection of my passion for computers and my commitment to creating a safe online platform for high schoolers across America. As a young programmer, the opportunity to build something from scratch that has the potential to impact a person’s life matters a lot to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://highster.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehighsterorg
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555680645568
• Twitter: https://x.com/thehighsterorg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehighsterorg