Steve Chen

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and historical Asian American or Pacific Islander, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Kenia Ortiz, Junior Editor

May 15, 2024

Born in Taiwan on August 25, 1978, Steve Chen immigrated to the United States at seven years old with his family. He grew up studying computer science to be a software engineer he is today and ultimately co-founded one of the most famous formatting platforms of the tech era: YouTube.

Steve embarked on his world-changing achievement in his employment at PayPal, where he met his future co-founders, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim. The three were influenced by the global thirst for an efficient sharing app and launched YouTube in 2005 as a step in media use. With Steve as the Chief Technology Officer, the world fell in love with YouTube, starting social moves, uniting people worldwide, sharing topical information, and showing off passions. In addition to creating, he is the co-founder of AVOS Systems, progressing properties, discovery, and dissemination of multimedia content. His work has been recognized and rewarded with Business 2.0’s “50 Most Influential People”, Fortune’s “Most Powerful People in Business, ” GQ’s “Men of the Year.”

Steve Chen continues to impact society as an inspiration for changemakers, highlighting the influence of vision, perseverance, and understanding. Ingrained in using his creations for good, he makes a better-connected society.

About the Contributor

Kenia Ortiz, Senior Editor

At first glance, Kenia could come off as dull, but in all reality a tranquil and loving senior at Hoover High who cherishes the petite things in life. As she wraps up her year as the class of 2025, she looks forward to attending Mesa or City Community College to study business and open a clothing boutique to share her adoration for fashion. Her main encouragement is to be the first of her siblings to attend college for her mom, who she looks up to for her sacrifices. Kenia desires to acquire her full potential and find self-love for who she is. From a young age, Kenia maintained a sensitive heart that values kindness. She truly believes the world could be better if we held respect and forgiveness for one another. She owns up to her beliefs, not only with love for her peers but keeping an open mind as it's everyone's first time living and she too makes mistakes. She was born at the spookiest yet coziest time of the year, October 6th. Like the season she was born in, the cold, crisp weather fall brings is her favorite. She enjoys her independent time as an introvert yet pushes to be more out there by carrying school spirit through ASB, yearbook, and the Cardinals Interact program. Kenia grew a love for teaching in fifth grade and decided to heal her inner child by volunteering to tutor students by taking a College Ed 100 class. She adores the work of expressing her lens of the world through writing, especially with the opportunities her yearbook class brings. Outside school, Kenia spends her days listening to music while reading, getting dolled up, and journaling or collaging her thoughts. What may catch you by surprise is her contrast from personality to her top artists Fetty Wap, Chris Travis, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and her odd addiction to gray leopard print and piercings.