Coffee Lounge

So how does the rating stars work? I was working hard on something for a contest and some young guy practically still in gradeschool, had already rated it as soon as I got done with it and then I submitted it for my contest. I would have set my work to private, but was not sure if the judges could still access it. Does only one person determine the star rating? Noone else rates it then? I was just curious how it all works.

Thanks,
Verb