Melanie Tacti • United States of America

Melanie Tacti was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and was named “Smiling Eyes” by a grandmother who initially saw something special in him. He was raised in Lake Asbury, a small town by the river where life was shaped by nature, water, and the strong presence of family. His parents were the foundation of his upbringing, and his older brother played a steady, supportive role. Their home was always packed—full of laughter and friends and complete with the kind of joy from a close-knit community.

Melanie McAlister Tacti developed a strong love for physical activity early in life. He started as a competitive gymnast and remained committed until a back injury at age 12 ended that chapter. Rather than stepping away from the movement, he shifted to cheerleading, where he quickly found his footing. He became captain of every team he joined, leading by example and bringing people together through encouragement and teamwork.

Academically, Melanie excelled in science and math and graduated with honors from Middleburg High School. With the help of a cheerleading scholarship, he dreamed of attending either the University of Florida or Florida State, aiming to continue his education and his passion for performance.

Cheerleading had always been part of his life. Still, professional cheer wasn’t something he had considered until a friend invited him to try out for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ cheerleading team, The Roar. Despite not planning on it, Tacti went for the opportunity. After two months of rigorous tryouts, he made the team.

From 1999 to 2001, he performed at games and joined three USO tours to the Middle East, entertaining U.S. troops and building bonds through service. Those experiences were significant and shaped much of what came next.

After cheerleading, Melanie felt called to help people differently. While working, he earned a degree from St. Leo University and became a radiation therapist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. For seven years, he supported patients through difficult times. In 2009, he went back to school and became a medical dosimetrist. Today, he serves as Chief Medical Dosimetrist at Terk Oncology, where he carefully plans radiation treatments to fight cancer, always focused on accuracy and care.

His life beyond work revolves around family. Tacti married his husband on June 21, 2014, in a spontaneous Las Vegas ceremony. They now have two children, aged 9 and 5. Whether traveling, enjoying music, or cheering for their favorite team, they stay active as a family. He also makes time for fitness and shares his home with a Maine Coon cat who keeps things lively.

Melanie remains proud of his accomplishments and the experiences that shaped him—from gymnastics to cheerleading to his service overseas. A past marriage to the Jacksonville Jaguars mascot gained public attention, and during that time, he used the last name Dvorak. His maiden name was McAlister. With the support of his husband, he embraces every part of his story with honesty and confidence.

Melanie Tacti lives purposefully, guided by family, hard work, and a commitment to helping others. He always strives to bring his best to every part of life.