HALLS, Tenn. -- A sea of candlelight bathed Crihfield Park tennis courts in honor of Ellie Young, a Halls native who was killed over the weekend. Her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Hopper, is accused of firing the shots that killed her. But friends and family of Young say that the vigil was not about remembering the medical student as a victim but as the person she was. "Ellie was a tennis player and not only was she a tennis player, she was a legendary tennis player," said Richard Dawson, a former teacher of Young's. Ellie Young (Photo from Ellie Young's Facebook page) Loved ones came together on Tuesday night to remember a woman whose name to them means "light." "Tonight was about coming back to a place where she was happy and where she shed light, even to her opponents," Dawson said. For those who knew her, Ellie's light could be seen in high school, where she graduated as her classes' valedictorian. At UT-Martin, she graduated with honors and most recently she was pursuing a degree in medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. "8 years ago tonight, my son was escorting Ellie onto the football field to represent her in her freshman year for homecoming court," said Cindy Ream, another former teacher of Young's. Ream was hoping to see Ellie fulfill her dreams and become a doctor like her big sister. Woman dead after getting shot at Shelby Farms; suspect detained "Ellie was smart as a whip and had a laugh you could not forget," Ream said. Friends, sharing memories of the past - too painful for Ellie's immediate family who had great hopes for her future. "I just remember going on cruises with Ellie and how much fun she was and she was always the life of the party," said Young's sister-in-law Hollie McMillan. As Ellie's family continues to grapple with the heartache of their loss, the community of Halls says they will be there for them tomorrow and for all the dark days ahead. "We love y'all and we are praying for y'all," McMillan said. "We are here for you whatever you need just call us."