Westwood High Student Creates Tech Support Website

Westwood High School senior Shivam Sharma has been providing computer help sessions and lectures at the Westwood Public Library and the Westwood Senior Center for the last three years. 

He has had students of all ages and says that he recently realized there was a growing demand for his services, so he created a website "WestwoodTechnology.com" where people can sign up for help sessions at the library or senior center.  Remote help is also available. 

"The website will work to provide online resources in the form of videos, written guides, and a question and answer forum for members of our community to view if they have any problems," Sharma said.

The website also allows other tech-savvy high school students an opportunity to volunteer their services through a partnership with the library and senior center. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Sharma through the website.  

According to WestwoodTechnology.com, Sharma "has been passionate about technology since he was little, building his first computer at the age of 12."

He is the head of the programming team at Westwood High School Robotics, has taken Java programming classes at Dean College, and has taken a course at Junction MIT in Programming and Interactive Graphics.

Sharma told Patch that computers have always been his passion. 

"I initially started out by helping my mother and her colleagues with computer repairs and technological support as well building my own computers. At that point, I felt like there might be others in the community who might have similar needs but lacked a free avenue to seek help," he said.

With that in mind, he approached the Westwood Public Library to see if they would be interested in the program that soon became popular with senior citizens and the community at large. 

"I felt starting with seniors was important because of the digital divide that exists globally and I hoped to make a difference beginning with my own community," he said.