Meet the Admission Team

Mr. Beaton joined the Choate Admission team in 2013 and has led the office since the fall of 2019. A graduate of Bates College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in education, he served as an Admission Counselor for his alma mater before joining the team at Choate. He credits a post-graduate year for his decision to pursue a career in boarding school education. Outside of Choate, Mr. Beaton is a committee member for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship and is a faculty member for the Admission Training Institute through the Enrollment Management Association. He is also currently working on his master’s degree in Independent School Leadership through Vanderbilt University's Peabody College. When asked what makes Choate special, Mr. Beaton says, “hands down, the students. Getting a front row seat to their growth and transformation at Choate is priceless.” Mr. Beaton lives on campus with his wife, Freddi, and their dog, Tilly.

Ms. Berestecky joined the Admission team in 2014. A graduate of Smith College, her previous work experience and background is in investment consulting, event planning, and fundraising. She loves connecting with students and families in the admission process, and has experienced Choate from the parent perspective--her daughter, Lauren ‘13 was a four-year day student. She lives in Madison with her husband Mike and their two black labs, Maya and Molly.

Ms. Braddy has been a part of the Choate community since 2021 and joined the admission team during the summer of 2023. A proud Connecticut native, Ms. Braddy attended Hopkins School and Bentley University, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Albertus Magnus College. With a wealth of experience in human resources and processing, Ms. Braddy is excited to engage with prospective students and families and welcome them to the Choate community. In addition to her role in the admission office, she serves as a dorm mentor, and lives on campus with her family. 

Ms. Ellis joined the Admission team after serving as an Associate Director of Admissions at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. An Ohio native, Ms. Ellis graduated from William Smith College with a double major in sociology/anthropology and Latin American studies and a minor in child advocacy. After graduation, she joined Teach for America in Miami, FL, and earned a master’s degree in education and social change from the University of Miami. In addition to her roles in the admission office, she is also the faculty adviser to multiple student clubs on campus. She lives on campus with her husband and their daughter. 

Ms. Given joined Choate in 2018. A New England native, Ms. Given graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with honors and a minor in child and family studies.  While there, she conducted research in developmental psychology and has been published in an academic journal. Prior to joining the Choate Admission team, Ms. Given worked at Bryn Mawr College in the undergraduate Admissions and Residential Life offices. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Education Leadership through Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. She serves as a house mentor, advises a cohort of students, and lives on campus.

Ms. McGee joined Choate in 2015. A Virginia native, Ms. McGee earned a B.A. in fine art and philosophy with honors from Washington and Lee University where she captained the field hockey team and was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa. She also holds an M.A. in Philosophy with honors from Virginia Tech, where she taught courses in Global Ethics and Morality and Justice. Prior to Choate, she worked in the admission office at Washington and Lee and taught at a boarding school. In the broader Choate community, Ms. McGee is Head Coach of the Field Hockey Program, serves on community service  and wellness program committees, and lives on campus with her partner Morgan, Choate’s Director of Academic Technology, and their children.

Ms. Pablo joined the Choate Admission team in 2024. Originally from Los Angeles, she graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Jewish and Religious Studies. A proud member of Choate’s Class of 2020, Ms. Pablo held a variety of roles during her time at Choate, including Prefect, Gold Key tour guide, and participant in the JFK Program in Government and Public Service. At Wesleyan, she served as a Senior Intern in both the Admissions Office and the Office of the Director of Alumni Relations. Ms. Pablo is a house mentor and lives on campus. 

Mr. Pereira joined the Choate Admission team in 2024 after spending two years serving as the Assistant Coach for the Men’s Ice Hockey Program at the University of Connecticut. A Connecticut native, Mr. Pereira graduated from the University of Massachusetts. After playing professionally, he went onto work at Avon Old Farms for five years where he was an Associate Director of Admissions and the Associate Head Coach of the Varsity Hockey team. In addition to his role in the Choate Admission Office, Mr. Pereira is the Head Coach of the Choate Hockey Program.

Ms. Peterson joined the Admission team in 2023. Hailing from the northeast, Ms. Peterson graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a B.A. in history and political science. She is a proud graduate of a boarding school and spent her high school and college years as a tour guide. Prior to coming to Choate, Ms. Peterson worked as a Litigation Paralegal at a law firm in New York City and as an O’Laughlin Ambassador in the Hobart and William Smith Office of Admissions. Ms. Peterson advises the Gold Key tour guide program, serves as a house mentor, adviser, and lives on campus.

Mr. Privott, a Connecticut native, joined the Admission team during the summer of 2023, and is excited to be back at Choate after having the opportunity to coach varsity football during the 2017 season. Prior to coming to Choate Mr. Privott has held several roles, with the bulk of his experience coming in Admission. Mr. Privott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication and an M.Ed. in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his responsibilities in the admissions office, Mr. Privott is an adviser and house mentor.

A Connecticut native, Mr. Rodriguez  joined the Choate Admission Team In July 2021.  A graduate of Pomfret School, Mr. Rodriguez understands the value of a boarding school community. He is a graduate of Connecticut College where he earned a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Economics and earned his M.S.Ed. in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. During his time at Connecticut College, Mr. Rodriguez captained the Men’s Squash Team and has held internships at the Squash and Education Alliance, Yale University, and US Squash. He works closely with the Squash Haven organization in New Haven, as he was in the first recruiting class in 2007 and currently serves on the board. Mr. Rodriguez is a house mentor, adviser and coaches the Boys Varsity Squash team. 

Ms. Simpson joined the Choate Admission team in 2024 after coaching lacrosse at the Division I level for five years, most recently at the College of William & Mary as Associate Head Coach. A Connecticut native, Ms. Simpson graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology: Sports Studies and also served as the captain of the lacrosse team. After graduating, she served as Head of Lacrosse at Caterham School, a Boarding School in England, UK. Ms. Simpson was also a member of the Senior England Women’s Lacrosse National team from 2015-2022. In addition to her role in the Choate Admission Office, Ms. Simpson is the Head Coach of the Choate Girls Lacrosse program, serves as a house mentor, adviser, and lives on campus.

A Connecticut native, Mr. Spinnato joined the Choate Rosemary Hall Admission team in the fall of 2008 after spending two years at Northfield Mount Hermon where he was the school’s Sports Information Director. Mr. Spinnato is a 2006 graduate of Amherst College with a Bachelor’s degree in law, jurisprudence and social thought, and also holds an M.B.A. from Southern Connecticut State University. He was the captain of the football team at Amherst and is the Head Coach of the Choate Football Program. In addition to his roles in admission and on the football field, Mr. Spinnato is an adviser and the Coordinator of College Athletic Recruitment Support and lives on campus with his wife Alexandra, daughters Samantha and Josephine, and dog Zilla.

Ms. Stahura is originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a postgraduate degree in Education from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, she held a career as a middle school science teacher for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the Choate Admission team in 2015, Ms. Stahura participated in several programs at Choate, including coaching JV Volleyball and teaching Science in Choate Summer Programs. In addition to her various responsibilities within the Admission Department, Ms. Stahura is also an adviser and resides on campus with her husband Eric, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling, and their two daughters.