The pandemic was still in its infancy in mid-2020 when I received an email from Ella Hall.
The soon-to-be sophomore at Key West High School was interested in an internship at the Keys Weekly newspaper, and as editor, I was interested in increasing our coverage of the high school community.
At a lunch meeting at Key Plaza Creperie, I met a shy, soft-spoken student who was interested in writing and photography. Though hesitant about her age, we gave it a shot, and Ella started contributing stories about issues of interest at the high school.
Fast-forward two years, and Ella’s sports photos have become a mainstay of our weekly Sports Wrap pages for Key West athletics in all seasons.
We editors here at the Keys Weekly — myself, Alex Rickert and Jim McCarthy — couldn’t help but feel like proud parents when we got word about Ella on two fronts. First, our young intern-turned-paid-sports-photographer had been accepted, not only to Louisiana State University, but to its sports media program, a feat nearly unheard-of for an incoming freshman. Second, we learned that Ella’s sports photos from the Keys Weekly made her a finalist in the Florida Scholastic Press Association’s annual competition.
“Paired with the work of our writers, Ella’s photography was the hallmark of our Key West High School sports coverage this year,” said Rickert, who oversees our sports coverage each week. “She may say that working for the paper allowed her to better her skills, but from the first photo package she submitted, she left little room for improvement. The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap will not be the same without her.”
Keys Weekly graphic designer, Javier Reyes, agreed.
“Ella’s photography, especially during night games, captured a level of contrast and depth that perfectly accentuated the drama and intensity of the athletes,” he said.
I caught up with Ella last week at Key West High School. Her keys and ID were attached to a purple and gold LSU lanyard with the French-inspired motto, “Geaux Tigers,” and an LSU water bottle was never out of reach.
She’s ready for Baton Rouge, and it’s a good thing, as she leaves just a few days after graduation in May. By the time her fellow first-year students arrive in the fall, she’ll be a pro at navigating the 35,000-student campus.
She hopes to work most closely with LSU’s football team, which would allow her to travel with the team. But another avenue would allow her to shoot all sports and their home games.
“Football is my favorite, but I love basketball, too, although sometimes I get too into the game and forget that I’m working,” she said, laughing. “In Key West, Conch baseball also was obviously one of my favorites given the atmosphere surrounding those games in this community.
“My ultimate goal is to become an NFL content creator or to work for a specific NFL team,” she said.
The Keys Weekly team wishes Ella all the very best and thanks her for sharing her skills with us and our readers.
As I wrote, in part, in my college reference letter for her, “I don’t know what college admissions officers want to read about applicants these days, but I do know what future employers want to see in potential hires, and Ella Hall has it all. I can’t think of a better candidate for your or any school.” All the best, Ella.
“Geaux Tigers”
— Mandy Miles, Alex Rickert, Jim McCarthy & Javier Reyes
