In September 1297, Sir William Wallace – played by Mel Gibson in the Academy Award-winning film Braveheart – famously defeated an English Army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge during the First War of Scottish Independence. Amy Perry visited the battle site where she proudly "bled for Wallace."
The National Wallace Monument, perched on a hilltop overlooking Stirling, rises 220 feet into the Scottish sky. Amy climbed the 246 steps to the observation deck, paid her respects to the Scottish hero, and on her way back down the mountain, tripped, rolled, and gashed her knee on a rock. It may not have been graceful, and her sacrifice came about eight centuries too late, but...
"The rock ripped through my jeans. I still have a scar from it. Some people who saw it thought it was pretty funny, but I bled for Wallace."
Amy's fascination with Wallace, medieval wars, and the thousands of castles that dot the European countryside all comes from her dad. He belongs to the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international living history group that researches and recreates pre-17th century skills, culture, and... combat.
Amy's father, a freelance writer and former lawyer, is perhaps one of the most respected medieval sword fighters in the Capital Region. He mentors local fighters, was a member in the "Queen's Guard," and competes in medieval battles (without actual blades). Amy grew up in that world, and while the combat is strangely intoxicating (Amy is in training, though she's yet to compete), the real fascination is the history.
"I just like different perspectives. It's fun escaping into these stories from the past. You get to see your own existence with more colors, and it makes life more interesting and fun."
Amy studied abroad in Scotland last spring, and spent the semester traveling to castles and battle sites, stepping onto the hollowed grounds that she grew up learning about, and sometimes recreating. When she got back to Siena, she sought out Matt Schiesel, associate director of study abroad and international fellowships, and said, "I have to go back!" That gave Matt an idea.
With Matt's guidance, Amy applied for a Fulbright scholarship, and this spring, she earned a highly competitive English Teaching Assistant grant to the Czech Republic. Beginning this fall, she'll spend a year teaching English during the week, and exploring European fortresses and medieval landmarks at every opportunity.
"There's a rich history abroad, and the Czech Republic holds onto traditions that come from medieval times. It's going to be insane. I still can't believe I got the grant. It still blows my mind."
The biology major isn't sure what she'll do following her year abroad. She'd like to still train with her dad for fun, and maybe she'll compete in her first SCA armoured combat event, but Amy is also considering the Peace Corps. Wallace didn't fight for sport; he wanted a better, more peaceful life for his people. That's what makes him the hero Amy was proud to bleed for.
In addition to Amy's Fulbright Award, these Saints have earned prestigous international opportunities for 2023-24:
- Sam Hearn '23, who was selected for a Fulbright ETA grant to Bulgaria last year, is finishing up his year with Fulbright and was selected to continue on for a second year as an ETA in Moldova.
- Parker Taft '24 was accepted to Cambridge University for a master's degree in political science with a doctoral track.
- Aaron Buckley '24 was accepted to the Peace Corps for a two-year position in Namibia.
