The Saratoga Springs High School Hall of Distinction honored two outstanding individuals for their extraordinary professional accomplishments at the 2026 Hall of Distinction Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The 2026 Annual Hall of Distinction inductees are Michael Arpey and Carol Godette. The Hall of Distinction was established to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding graduates of Saratoga Springs High School who have made exceptional contributions and excelled in their chosen fields.
Michael Arpey
Michael Arpey, a member of the Saratoga Springs High School Class of 1981, served as class president throughout all four years of high school and received the prestigious Yaddo Award at graduation.
Arpey is a business leader, philanthropist, and longtime advocate for the arts whose career spans decades of international investment leadership and community engagement. A third-generation Saratogian, he has maintained deep personal and professional ties to Saratoga Springs throughout his life, combining global financial expertise with a longstanding commitment to cultural and charitable organizations in the region.
In 2026, Arpey was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), an organization that has played a significant role in his life since his youth. His connection to SPAC began during his college years, when he worked at the venue in several capacities, including managing the performers’ gate for five summers. He also spent summers selling programs during New York City Ballet performances, experiences that helped cultivate his lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.
Professionally, Arpey serves as President of Hunter Point Capital. Prior to joining the firm, he spent ten years at The Carlyle Group as Global Head of Investor Relations, where he built and led the organization’s investor relations operations worldwide. Under his leadership, Carlyle raised more than $200 billion in capital across multiple investment strategies and asset classes.
Before his tenure at Carlyle, Arpey spent a decade at Credit Suisse, where he was Founder and Co-Head of the Customized Fund Investment Group, the firm’s $27 billion private equity fund-of-funds business. Throughout his career, he has earned recognition for his expertise in investment management, capital formation, and strategic relationship development on a global scale.
Arpey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University and a Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson Law. He later served as a trustee of St. Lawrence University, continuing his commitment to education and institutional leadership.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Arpey and his wife, Stacie, have been active supporters of numerous nonprofit and cultural organizations in the Saratoga community. Their philanthropy has included support for Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Franklin Community Center, and Yaddo, where Stacie Arpey serves on the board. Beginning in 2022, the couple became underwriting supporters of SPAC’s School of the Arts Summer Camp program, reflecting their shared dedication to arts education and community enrichment.
Arpey’s lifelong connection to Saratoga Springs, paired with his international business experience and passion for the arts, continues to shape his leadership and philanthropic work.
Carol Godette
Carol Godette, a 1973 Saratoga Springs High School honor graduate and lifelong Saratoga Springs resident, has dedicated her life to uncovering and sharing the stories and photographs that shape her community. Her passion for storytelling began as Editor-in-Chief of her high school yearbook and continues to guide her work today.
A proud SSHS alumna, Godette values the school’s role in her life and legacy. As a dedicated educator, she taught fifth grade at both Greenfield Elementary School and Lake Avenue Elementary School, inspiring generations of students. During her career, she contributed to numerous school initiatives, including Greenfield’s Author’s Day, and helped write the successful application that earned Greenfield recognition as a Blue Ribbon School.
In 1996, Carol and her husband Dave, through a twist of fate, became co-owners of the Saratoga Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop alongside Patrick Pipino. The experience blended her strong community connections with local entrepreneurship and reinforced her belief in the importance of independently owned small businesses in strengthening community identity and growth.
Godette’s fascination with neighborhood grocery stores inspired her retirement research into the cultural role of mom-and-pop markets in local life. Her work for Simply Saratoga magazine led to the creation of her popular “On This Spot” column, which explores the history behind familiar Saratoga Springs locations and highlights the unique stories connected to each place. Her series on the city’s neighborhood markets showcased how these stores brought communities together through shared experiences and conversations. The collection later became her book, On This Spot, Saratoga Springs.
In recognition of her contributions to preserving local history, Godette received the 2022 Saratoga County History Award. She currently serves on the board of the SoBro Conservancy and contributes to the newsletter team at Brookside Museum. She is also a sought-after presenter for local historical organizations and community programs, including the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, Grant Cottage, and the Brown Bag Lunch Program at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Carol and Dave are the proud parents of two Saratoga Springs High School graduates, Brad (Class of 2002) and Kristy (Class of 2005), and grandparents to four future SSHS graduates: Bara and Davey Godette, and Zoe and Hazel Ventre. Inspired by her family and community, Godette continues her volunteer work and commitment to preserving Saratoga Springs history for future generations.
