Alumni Profile
Ben Pickens '23 (Lonsdale's)
Ben Pickens' Rocketry Record
Shawnigan's own Ben Pickens '23 (Lonsdale's) has etched his name in the record books. In August, Ben and the rest of his University of Waterloo Rocketry team launched Polaris, a liquid bi-propellant rocket that reached an altitude of 63,497 feet, taking the record for the highest amateur liquid rocket ever launched.
Ben was co-captain of the Shawnigan robotics team in 2022-23, helping his team qualify for the VEX World Championships in Dallas, Texas.
Shawnigan's own Ben Pickens '23 (Lonsdale's) has etched his name in the record books. In August, Ben and the rest of his University of Waterloo Rocketry team launched Polaris, a liquid bi-propellant rocket that reached an altitude of 63,497 feet, taking the record for the highest amateur liquid rocket ever launched.
Ben was co-captain of the Shawnigan robotics team in 2022-23, helping his team qualify for the VEX World Championships in Dallas, Texas.
"Ben's innovative mechanical designs were a catalyst for getting the team to Dallas, capping off a very illustrious robotics career during his three years in the Shawnigan program," says Mr. Paul Doig, one of Shawnigan's robotic instructors.
After graduating, Ben went on to study engineering at the University of Waterloo, where his love of building and robotics led him to the rocketry program. Over the past four years, Ben has become an integral leader in the rocketry team, achieving amazing results that have lofted that program to the top of its competitive field.
His early experience tinkering, building, competing, and having a hugely successful robotics tenure at Shawnigan provided Ben with a strong foundation on which to follow his passions in engineering at Waterloo.
Congratulations on this amazing feat, Ben, and as Mr. Doig says, "Go Robots!"
After graduating, Ben went on to study engineering at the University of Waterloo, where his love of building and robotics led him to the rocketry program. Over the past four years, Ben has become an integral leader in the rocketry team, achieving amazing results that have lofted that program to the top of its competitive field.
His early experience tinkering, building, competing, and having a hugely successful robotics tenure at Shawnigan provided Ben with a strong foundation on which to follow his passions in engineering at Waterloo.
Congratulations on this amazing feat, Ben, and as Mr. Doig says, "Go Robots!"
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 12 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
