Jamesy Owen (‘05), Attorney and Proud Mom

A member of the Class of 2005, Jamesy arrived in eighth grade and quickly immersed herself in all that Dawson had to offer and found purpose, community, and the value of savoring life.

Jamesy credits Dawson’s experiential programs with sparking her lifelong love of travel and exploration. From Winterims to language immersion in Chile to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Dawson gave her opportunities to step far outside her comfort zone. “If it weren’t for Dawson’s unique opportunities to expand horizons and challenge fears through activities like whitewater kayaking, I don’t think I would’ve developed such a strong passion for exploration and adventure throughout life,” she reflects.

In addition to the Canoe and Kayak team, Jamesy ran cross-country, where she learned the importance of grit, teamwork, and resilience. “There have been few better feelings than rolling up out of the rapids for the first time,” she recalls.

At Dawson, Jamesy says teachers and mentors not only knew her strengths but also gave her the confidence to pursue new challenges. Through the mentor program, she worked closely with Kris Deardorff, whose mix of compassion and truth-telling helped her grow as a student and as a person. “Getting to introduce my daughter to Ms. Deardorff has been a true life highlight,” she says

Dawson’s flexibility also allowed her to explore unique interests, from performing arts to pole vaulting. The school supported her curiosity and found ways to help her pursue even the most niche passions.

After Dawson, Jamesy earned both her undergraduate degree and law degree from the University of Colorado, later adding a master’s in environmental policy. A semester abroad at Oxford, where she studied international environmental law, remains one of her favorite academic experiences. For over a decade, she served in the Denver City Attorney’s Office before becoming an Assistant City Attorney for a local municipality, representing Parks, Open Space, Natural Resources, Water, and Public Works.

Looking back, she credits Dawson with giving her the foundation to manage a demanding legal career while still prioritizing family, friendships, and hobbies. “The best skill Dawson instilled in me is the ability to work hard, but also to manage work in a way that promotes a healthy balance with family, friendships, maintaining hobbies, and engaging in physical pursuits,” she says.

Jamesy is most proud of her daughter, Birdie, now a Dawson kindergartner. Seeing her thrive in the same community that shaped her is deeply meaningful. “Spending my formative years at Dawson gave me the foundational skills I needed for a demanding career, but a full and balanced life, in which relationships and community are as important as success, however you may define it.”