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Chicago, IL

As a storyteller you find yourself in different places, in different situations, and with different people constantly.

My stories started innocently enough in Miami where I was born to wonderful Cuban immigrants. I learned my craft at the University of Florida where I earned a degree in journalism and studied photojournalism and videography. I covered music, local issues, and sports for publications like The Gainesville Sun, Reax magazine, and The Fine Print where I was a contributor when it won Best New Publication from Campus Progress.

My time covering music at UF lead me to traveling the country with local Gainesville band Morningbell after I graduated to shoot a documentary that I'm currently editing. 

To learn more about documentary I worked as the Digital Arts and Publishing Intern at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. I assisted in the producetion and marketing of such books as Iraq | Perspectives, Colors of Confinement, In This Timeless Time, and One Place. In addition, I co-edited the festival program for the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.  

I currently find myself newly married and searching for more stories in Chicago. If you have a story or adventure shoot me an email at jmoraphoto@gmail.com

Derby Dedication

It’s been a long day for Sarah Purcell.

She just spent nine hours feeding chinchillas, moving a sedated tiger from its cage to get a CT scan and transporting a 400-pound radioactive tortoise out of its pen. Her day has been so hectic that she had to eat half of a McAlister’s sandwich while running to get the tiger. But instead of spending the rest of the day at home relaxing after a hard day’s work, she quickly grabs her skates and pads and heads over to the fairgrounds for roller derby practice.

She might be Sarah Purcell at her job as a zoological medicine veterinary technician at UF’s Veterinary Medical Center, but once she hits the rink she is Sara Leethal.

Purcell started skating with the Gainesville Roller Rebels in July 2008 as a hobby and has never stopped. Three months ago she damaged all the cartilage in her right knee and has not been able to be in any bouts or scrimmages, but she still attends every practice and does everything the other girls do except scrimmage.

“I didn’t want to quit. It’s something I put a lot of effort and a lot of time into for a year and a half,” Purcell said.

No matter what happens, Purcell says she will still be working at the Veterinary Medical Center full-time, at the Lubee Bat Conservancy part-time, and she will always make it to derby practice three times a week.

“It’s a good part of my life that I don’t want to lose no matter what I have to do, even if it comes down to not being able to bout again,” Purcell said. “I’d still practice and still do fundraising and still do whatever I can for the team to make sure the team has whatever they need.”

derby_mora_01.jpg
Sarah Purcell watches the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels scrimmage during a derby practice. Due to a knee injury, Purcell’s practices are limited. “About three months ago we were scrimmaging, and I fell wrong on my knee. When I fell I did dam

Sarah Purcell watches the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels scrimmage during a derby practice. Due to a knee injury, Purcell’s practices are limited. “About three months ago we were scrimmaging, and I fell wrong on my knee. When I fell I did damage to pretty much all of the cartilage in my knee, and I couldn’t have any impact on my knee for three months,” Purcell said.

Purcell stretches her leg before doing laps with the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels.

Purcell stretches her leg before doing laps with the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels.

Sarah Purcell attempts to block Grizzly Madams from passing her during a Gainesville Roller Rebels scrimmage. “Derby really takes over when you start playing,” Purcell said.

Sarah Purcell attempts to block Grizzly Madams from passing her during a Gainesville Roller Rebels scrimmage. “Derby really takes over when you start playing,” Purcell said.

Sarah Purcell sits out of a scrimmage and watches the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels during practice. “It’s hard when you get to watch everyone else do what you really want to do,” she said. “When you can’t do it, it’s like you almost long to

Sarah Purcell sits out of a scrimmage and watches the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels during practice. “It’s hard when you get to watch everyone else do what you really want to do,” she said. “When you can’t do it, it’s like you almost long to do it.”

Purcell lays down in a booth during a Gainesville Roller Rebels practice. Practices usually consists of conditioning, 30-40 laps skating around the rink and scrimmages. “The biggest misconception about derby is that it’s not a sport,” she said.”It t

Purcell lays down in a booth during a Gainesville Roller Rebels practice. Practices usually consists of conditioning, 30-40 laps skating around the rink and scrimmages. “The biggest misconception about derby is that it’s not a sport,” she said.”It takes a lot of endurance and a lot of effort.”

Sarah Purcell examines a bat at the Lubee Bat Conservancy for any injuries. Besides working as a Vet Tech at UF, Purcell spends her Saturday’s working as a keeper at the conservancy.

Sarah Purcell examines a bat at the Lubee Bat Conservancy for any injuries. Besides working as a Vet Tech at UF, Purcell spends her Saturday’s working as a keeper at the conservancy.

A bat at the Lubee Bat Conservancy hangs on to Sarah Purcell’s hand as she inspects the bat for any injuries. “Animals have always interested me,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a wildlife vet.”

A bat at the Lubee Bat Conservancy hangs on to Sarah Purcell’s hand as she inspects the bat for any injuries. “Animals have always interested me,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a wildlife vet.”

Purcell helps doctors with a tiger. Purcell deals with several different types of animals in one day.

Purcell helps doctors with a tiger. Purcell deals with several different types of animals in one day.

Purcell puts on a glove before putting a tiger in a CT Scan.

Purcell puts on a glove before putting a tiger in a CT Scan.

Purcell gives food to a chinchilla at UF’s Veterinary Medical Center. “So I guess when you work with animals and it’s something you do you have almost like an empathy with them,” she said. “It’s just like being around small children. Sometimes they

Purcell gives food to a chinchilla at UF’s Veterinary Medical Center. “So I guess when you work with animals and it’s something you do you have almost like an empathy with them,” she said. “It’s just like being around small children. Sometimes they don’t know what you’re saying, but by talking to them it kind of makes a connection with them.”

Purcell and Demonomia talk before skating laps with the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels. “The girls on the team are amazing,” said Purcell. “It’s like a whole second family.”

Purcell and Demonomia talk before skating laps with the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels. “The girls on the team are amazing,” said Purcell. “It’s like a whole second family.”

Purcell talks with the audience during a Roller Rebels bout and sells raffle tickets. “It’s a good part of my life that I don’t want to lose no matter what I have to do, even if it comes down to not being able to bout again,” Purcell said. “I’d stil

Purcell talks with the audience during a Roller Rebels bout and sells raffle tickets. “It’s a good part of my life that I don’t want to lose no matter what I have to do, even if it comes down to not being able to bout again,” Purcell said. “I’d still practice and still do fundraising and still do whatever I can for the team to make sure the team has whatever they need.”

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derby_mora_01.jpg
Sarah Purcell watches the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels scrimmage during a derby practice. Due to a knee injury, Purcell’s practices are limited. “About three months ago we were scrimmaging, and I fell wrong on my knee. When I fell I did dam
Purcell stretches her leg before doing laps with the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels.
Sarah Purcell attempts to block Grizzly Madams from passing her during a Gainesville Roller Rebels scrimmage. “Derby really takes over when you start playing,” Purcell said.
Sarah Purcell sits out of a scrimmage and watches the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels during practice. “It’s hard when you get to watch everyone else do what you really want to do,” she said. “When you can’t do it, it’s like you almost long to
Purcell lays down in a booth during a Gainesville Roller Rebels practice. Practices usually consists of conditioning, 30-40 laps skating around the rink and scrimmages. “The biggest misconception about derby is that it’s not a sport,” she said.”It t
Sarah Purcell examines a bat at the Lubee Bat Conservancy for any injuries. Besides working as a Vet Tech at UF, Purcell spends her Saturday’s working as a keeper at the conservancy.
A bat at the Lubee Bat Conservancy hangs on to Sarah Purcell’s hand as she inspects the bat for any injuries. “Animals have always interested me,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a wildlife vet.”
Purcell helps doctors with a tiger. Purcell deals with several different types of animals in one day.
Purcell puts on a glove before putting a tiger in a CT Scan.
Purcell gives food to a chinchilla at UF’s Veterinary Medical Center. “So I guess when you work with animals and it’s something you do you have almost like an empathy with them,” she said. “It’s just like being around small children. Sometimes they
Purcell and Demonomia talk before skating laps with the rest of the Gainesville Roller Rebels. “The girls on the team are amazing,” said Purcell. “It’s like a whole second family.”
Purcell talks with the audience during a Roller Rebels bout and sells raffle tickets. “It’s a good part of my life that I don’t want to lose no matter what I have to do, even if it comes down to not being able to bout again,” Purcell said. “I’d stil
Leethal Dedication of a Roller Rebel (Originally a Soundslide)

Derby Dedication

It’s been a long day for Sarah Purcell.

She just spent nine hours feeding chinchillas, moving a sedated tiger from its cage to get a CT scan and transporting a 400-pound radioactive tortoise out of its pen. Her day has been so hectic that she had to eat half of a McAlister’s sandwich while running to get the tiger. But instead of spending the rest of the day at home relaxing after a hard day’s work, she quickly grabs her skates and pads and heads over to the fairgrounds for roller derby practice.

She might be Sarah Purcell at her job as a zoological medicine veterinary technician at UF’s Veterinary Medical Center, but once she hits the rink she is Sara Leethal.

Purcell started skating with the Gainesville Roller Rebels in July 2008 as a hobby and has never stopped. Three months ago she damaged all the cartilage in her right knee and has not been able to be in any bouts or scrimmages, but she still attends every practice and does everything the other girls do except scrimmage.

“I didn’t want to quit. It’s something I put a lot of effort and a lot of time into for a year and a half,” Purcell said.

No matter what happens, Purcell says she will still be working at the Veterinary Medical Center full-time, at the Lubee Bat Conservancy part-time, and she will always make it to derby practice three times a week.

“It’s a good part of my life that I don’t want to lose no matter what I have to do, even if it comes down to not being able to bout again,” Purcell said. “I’d still practice and still do fundraising and still do whatever I can for the team to make sure the team has whatever they need.”