“Hotchkiss taught me the art of the possible.”

By Catherine Calamé

Jasen Adams ’90 grew up in Salt Lake City with dreams of playing in the NHL. As a passionate goalie, he set his sights on elite boarding schools that could further his hockey ambitions. But when the top-tier option proved financially out of reach, fate—and his own determination—steered him toward a life-changing path.

The youngest of seven children and the first in his family to attend boarding school, college, and law school, Adams’s journey to Hotchkiss started with a chance discovery and a courageous phone call. What followed was an experience that shaped not only his future, but also that of his children. We sat down with him to hear his story.

How did you end up at Hotchkiss?

I was living in Salt Lake City and playing hockey seriously, with dreams of going pro. I was recruited by Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota, a boarding school known for producing NHL talent. But every family had to pay at least 40% of tuition—around $11,000 at the time—I lived on welfare with my mom, and we just couldn’t afford that.

Right after that, I saw a small poster in my local library about boarding schools. I filled out a reply card and checked every New England box. I applied for my 11th grade year to five schools. I was accepted to four schools but not offered any financial aid.  I did not hear from Hotchkiss, so I called the admissions office to check. They told me I had been rejected.

I started to tear up and told them, "I got into four schools, but I can’t afford any of them." The woman on the phone paused and said, "let me have you speak with our admissions director, she will be in tomorrow."  The next day, Hotchkiss offered me a spot in 10th grade—with full financial aid: tuition, room and board, travel, even money for the bookstore. I’d never seen the campus. A church family picked me up at the airport and drove me to school. That was my introduction to Hotchkiss.

What did you learn from that experience?

That it pays to speak up. I believed in myself enough to make the call—and that changed my life. My mom encouraged me to dream, but I filled out every form, application, and financial aid document on my own. That independence and grit carried me forward.

What stands out about your time at Hotchkiss?

It wasn’t easy. The academics were tough, and hockey didn’t go the way I hoped. But the faculty cared deeply. My well-being mattered to them—and that was powerful. I also didn’t realize at the time how wealthy some of my classmates were. But that didn’t matter. I was in a dream world. The students were kind, and Hotchkiss brought together people from different walks of life. It expanded my world and helped me find my place in it.

What did you do after graduating?

I went to Cornell and studied Latin and Greek. From there, I earned my law degree at George Mason in Virginia. I’m the youngest of seven, and the first in my family to go to boarding school, to college, and to law school.

How has Hotchkiss shaped your life?

Hotchkiss taught me the art of the possible. It gave me access to a world I didn’t even know existed and helped me believe I belonged in it. That belief changed my life and gave me the foundation to inspire my own children. My son is now at Yale. My daughter is choosing between Yale, Harvard, and other top schools. That kind of vision started with Hotchkiss.

How do you stay connected to Hotchkiss?

I’m a class agent and have been a reunion volunteer for years. It’s meaningful to stay involved with the place that gave me so much.

Why did you include a bequest to Hotchkiss in your estate plan?

Right now, I’ve designated a portion of a life insurance policy, with the hope it will grow over time and become significant enough to help future students through financial aid.  It’s my way of paying forward the life-changing gift I received.

What would you say to other alumni about giving back?

Estate planning isn’t just for the later stages of life—it’s something every adult should consider. Many families already include philanthropy in their long-term planning, and giving back to a place like Hotchkiss is a meaningful way to teach those values to the next generation. It’s simple, and it makes a lasting impact.What does giving back mean to you?

How has the School changed since your time there?

Hotchkiss has become more elite in some ways—but it’s also become more inclusive. I’ve met students and faculty who reflect that growth. There’s more intention around creating a supportive, diverse environment than when I was there.

What excites you most about Hotchkiss today?

Hotchkiss is well-positioned to offer opportunities to even more students. That excites me. It means more kids will get access to the kind of transformative experience I had.  That’s what inspires me—and what I hope my legacy can help make possible.

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Join the Town Hill Society

Members of The Town Hill Society have named Hotchkiss as the beneficiary of bequests, gifts from retirement accounts, gifts of life insurance, and life-income gifts such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder unitrusts. These gifts, no matter the size, provide Hotchkiss with critical and lasting support.

We would be honored to discuss with you how your own Town Hill gift can allow you to bridge your current financial situation with the gift you dream of making to Hotchkiss. Contact Director of Gift Planning Brent Alderman Sterste at giftplanning@hotchkiss.org or (860) 435-3263, or visit hotchkiss.giftplans.org to learn more.