Two members of the Class of 2020 are putting their faith into action through the work they have chosen to take up post-college. Christopher Putlock ’20 is a Supervising Animation Producer at Coronation Media and is helping to bring meaningful, story-driven content to life. Piper Daleidan ’20 is currently working as a FOCUS Missionary. The classmates both recently reflected on the ways that FGR has impacted their paths.
Producing Meaningful Stories for Screen
Christopher is currently leading work on Great Battles for Boys, a new animated series premiering its first two episodes on the Angel Studios app. Inspired by the popular historical book series, the show aims to spark a love of reading while immersing young audiences in stories of courage, virtue, and history.
As a key member of the production team, Christopher has played an integral role in shaping the series and continues to oversee animation as new episodes are developed. In a recent conversation with Director of Alumni Relations, Chris Russ ’08, he reflects on his journey into animation, the mentors who influenced him at Father Gabriel Richard High School, and how his faith continues to guide both his work and creative vision.
From Live Action to Animation
“Working at Coronation Media has been an educational and rewarding experience,” said Christopher. “I started out here working in the live action department as an associate producer, but when the heat started turning up on animation projects, I said to my bosses: ‘Hey, I really like the animation team, can I help build the next iteration of it?’ And they agreed.” The group was just beginning their foray into more narrative-driven, more 3D work, so for Christopher, it has been a crash course in all things animation. While he came in with very little animation experience, just one class in college, it’s given him the chance to grow quickly and stretch his producing muscles in new ways, especially navigating remote workflows and the emerging role of AI.
The faith and values with which Christopher was raised are ultimately what led him to Coronation Media. “My faith shapes not just where I work, but how I work, what kinds of stories I want to tell, the people I want to collaborate with, and the purpose I try to bring into each project,” he said. “Being able to draw from such a rich well of stories that both live within and expand the Catholic imagination is a real gift, and I only hope to add what I can to that pool while I live.”
Christopher’s FGR Mentors
When asked about his teachers or mentors from FGR, Christopher mentioned two of his English teachers, Mr. Miller and Ms. Lawrence, who each taught him for two years. “I owe it to them that English was (and still is) my favorite subject,” Christopher reflected. He noted how patient they were with him. “I especially loved pushing the boundaries in essays and projects,” he remembers, “which usually meant trying to turn them into videos. Only once did I actually get away with it.”
Looking to the Future
Christopher is looking to the future with excitement, especially the future of film. “The continued democratization of film and animation is incredibly exciting,” he said. “Between the dominance of YouTube, brands stepping into the Hollywood ecosystem, and a growing appetite for stories rooted in virtue and meaningful values, there’s real opportunity to tell impactful stories… and have them get seen!”
As for personal goals, one of his strongest dreams began at FGR. “My lifelong north star is to bring the book Mr. Blue, which I first encountered at FGR, to the screen,” he said.
To learn more about the work Christopher is doing on Great Battles for Boys, click here.
Bringing Others to Christ
As a FOCUS Missionary, Piper Daleidan ’20 leads Bible Studies and teaches others how to grow more comfortable discussing the faith with family and friends. She cites her years at FGR as shaping her deeply in so many different aspects of life. “When I think back to my time as a student, I’m struck by how transformative it was to be surrounded by friends, teachers, and families who were truly striving for holiness,” she said. Seeing friends stop by the chapel to pray before school sticks with her. “It was largely because of the witness of those around me that I grew in my own faith,” Piper explained. “Retreats, praying in classes, and having spaces to engage with truth and the Catholic Church’s teachings all strengthened my faith as well.”
Piper’s FGR Mentors
Piper remembers teachers such as Mr. Miller and Mr. McNally, who helped her develop a love for reading and analyzing literature, especially through a Catholic lens. “These teachers’ passion and joy for literature made classes interesting and exciting,” she noted. “While I had always loved reading, my English classes at FGR sparked something within me. I experienced joy in wrestling with different texts and pulling out the deeper truths in them, and this ultimately led me to study literature in college.” Piper also appreciates her time at FGR for the other opportunities she had. “I was able to pursue a variety of extracurriculars, such as cross country, equestrian, and band, and all these activities were from the perspective of competing and performing to glorify God,” she said. “My experiences at FGR truly made me more well-rounded, which greatly prepared me to attend and appreciate a liberal arts college.”
Witness to Faith
After graduating from FGR, Piper attended Hope College and double-majored in English literature and psychology. Because of her experiences at FGR, Piper knew she wanted to find Catholic community in college, and she quickly got involved in the Catholic club on campus. After graduating from Hope College in 2024, Piper began serving as a Catholic missionary with FOCUS. As a FOCUS missionary, Piper leads Bible studies, walks with students in small groups, and, by God’s grace, wins souls for Christ. Her work doesn’t just stop there—she also teaches these students how to start their own Bible studies and share their faith with their friends. Piper’s hope is to equip each student to share the Gospel with those around them through witness and word. “At FGR, I was impacted by other people’s witnesses to their faith,” said Piper, “and by walking with college students, I hope that more and more people can be impacted by Christ in similar ways.”
Mission Partnership
Being a FOCUS missionary means that Piper needs to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help her, and she desires to share her mission with more people, especially those in the FGR community which greatly shaped her faith. She is eager for FGR students to become aware of the FOCUS missionaries they may encounter on their own college campuses after graduating from FGR. If you are interested in learning more about Piper’s mission, please contact her at piper.daleiden@focus.org or https://focus.org/missionaries/piper-daleiden/.