"This is completely and truly an honor to be in the Class of 2012. I was very lucky to be supported by family. When I got the call, the first person I thought of was my dad."
     - Gaitka Halpern's induction speech (Oct. 6, 2012)

A Kearny, N.J. native, Melissa Gaitka was a standout player for the Radford women's soccer team from 1991-94. In 1993, Gaitka collected 34 points (11 goals, 12 assists) en route to earning second-team All-Big South honors.

She returned in 1994 to record one of the best individual seasons in program history. With her 19 goals - a single-season program record - Gaitka was named first-team all-conference and Big South Player of the Year. In addition, she led her club to the league semifinals and earned all-tournament honors. Gaitka currently ranks third in career goals (40), assists (23), points (103) and second in total shots taken (254) in the Radford record books.

Over her four years, Gaitka charted five two-goal games, four hat tricks and tied the program record with four goals scored against Appalachian State in 1994, becoming one of four players to net four goals in a game in Highlander women's soccer history.

Melissa Halpern, who is also a member of Kearny High School's Hall of Fame, currently works as a physical education and health teacher at New Providence High School in New Providence, N.J.

She is in her fifth season as the head girls soccer coach of the two-time defending state champions.