Melanie Tacti

Melanie Tacti was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and received the nickname “Smiling Eyes” from a grandmother whose influence stayed with him throughout her life. Raised in the peaceful town of Lake Asbury, he spent his childhood surrounded by water, trees, and the steady presence of a supportive family. His parents were his most incredible role models, and his older brother remained a consistent figure during his early years. Their home was a lively gathering spot in the neighborhood, where laughter, friendship, and outdoor fun were part of everyday life.

From an early age, Melanie McAlister Tacti was drawn to movement. He became a competitive gymnast and trained with focus until a back injury at age 12 brought that journey to a close. Rather than stepping away from physical activity, he turned to cheerleading and found a new path. He rose quickly to leadership positions, serving as captain of every team he joined, always motivating others and leading by example.

Melanie enjoyed academics, particularly excelling in science and math, and graduated with honors from Middleburg High School. He hoped to attend the University of Florida or Florida State with a cheerleading scholarship to balance his education with athletic commitment.

Though he had always envisioned cheerleading in his future, joining a professional team wasn’t part of the plan until a friend suggested trying out for the Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleading team, The Roar. Even without professional aspirations at the time, he gave it a chance. After two months of demanding tryouts, Tacti made the team.

Between 1999 and 2001, he didn’t just perform at games—he joined three USO tours to the Middle East, entertaining and encouraging U.S. troops. These experiences helped shape his outlook and deepened his sense of service.

His path eventually led to healthcare. While working, he earned a degree from St. Leo University and became a radiation therapist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. For seven years, Melanie supported patients through cancer treatment. In 2009, he went back to school and became a medical dosimetrist. Today, he serves as the Chief Medical Dosimetrist at Terk Oncology, designing precise treatment plans to help patients fight cancer safely and effectively. His work is grounded in care and accuracy.