High school: I lived it, you lived it, we all lived it. Some of it was good and some of it was kind of a living hell at times. You know what was even better than our own personal high school drama? TV shows that revolved around high school drama. I don't know about you but I would much rather indulge in thirty minutes of fictional characters dealing with the every day hardships of the teenage life. Of course at the end of the day we do have to face our own problems, but we can't deny that shows like Saved By the Bell, Beverly Hills 90210 and even Dawson's Creek had a major impact on lives and helped people through their own personal struggles. While those shows were entertaining in their own ways, the show I connected to the most was Degrassi.
If you're not familiar with Degrassi, think of the shows I previously listed and strip down the fourth walls, big cell phones, James Dean hairstyles, Paula Cole theme songs and move it up to Canada. In my opinion, it was the show that truly captured what life as a teenager was really like and it didn't shy away from major topics that many teens face like drugs, pregnancy, sexual identity, abuse and suicide. Degrassi covered it all and to show my appreciation for the Canadian teen drama that helped me through my own teenage years and gave me The Zit Remedy, The Dot and Morty the hearse, I've compiled a list of some of the most memorable characters and moments. From The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, Degrassi: The Next Generation to the latest installment of Degrassi: Next Class: this franchise always taught us that whatever it takes we will always make it through.
WARNING: Spoilers may ensue.
Before I crack open the Top 25, I'd like to throw in a few honorable mentions.
Also, I'd like to add that I will be doubling up on the honorable mentions because there are over a hundred freaking characters from this franchise so bear with me.
Maya Matlin/Zoe Rivas
I should note that I'm not familiar with the latest installment Next Class and the last few seasons of The Next Generation as much but I did do my research before I decided to write this. With that being said, I did discover two of the most interesting characters from those: Maya Matlin and Zoe Rivas. These two make the perfect Betty and Veronica of the Degrassi circle. Maya is your blonde, sweet, girl-next-door who has a passion for playing music and Zoe is the sassy brunette who just happens to be a famous soap opera actress and wants to live the normal teenage life. The two often clash but soon realize that there's more to life than just boys.
Alex Nunez/Jay Hogart
Alex Nunez and Jay Hogart were basically the tough teens you didn't want to bump into at school or they would probably throw you in a dumpster. They first started off as a couple and caused a lot of trouble together until Alex discovered Jay was fooling around and caused a bit of an outbreak. Once they went their separate ways, Alex did some self discovery once she became close with Paige Michalchuk and Jay still kept causing more trouble for others until he met Manny Santos and they actually became quite an adorable couple.
Declan Coyne/Fiona Coyne
As Degrassi was reaching its ninth season, it was starting to get a little stale. I'm still not into the later seasons much but when rich twins Delcan and his sister Fiona stepped foot in the hallways it was like a breath of fresh air. Declan used his money and his charm to woo girls and Fiona lived for fashion and even claimed Let the Right One In as her favorite movie. What really made these twins interesting was when Fiona's jealousy of her brother's relationship with Holly J. Sinclair made her do something a bit outrageous that I had to make sure I was watching the same show. Thankfully, that incident was put in the past and Declan went on to star in a Twilight knock-off sequel of The Howling series and Fiona gave up drinking and fell in love with Holly J. herself.
Erica Farrell/Heather Farrell
Ashley Kerwin/Toby Isaacs
25. Lucy Fernandez
Lucy Fernandez was probably the most outspoken character of all and that's something to really appreciate about her. She was a normal girl that wanted friends and a love life like every teenager does but she wasn't afraid to say no to something that wasn't right. She was also a director and got to film not only The Zit Remedy's first music video but also a feminist slasher film! Sadly, those dreams would be cut short after an accident in the first Degrassi film titled School's Out but Lucy didn't let that stop her from being one of the strongest students that ever went to Degrassi High.
24. Jane Vaughn
Jane was just like one of the guys: she played football, sang in a band and called everyone "dude" a lot. She was a tough chick and a great match for Spinner Mason but broke our hearts when she got a little carried away with a preppy rich kid. Still one of the most heartbreaking episodes of Degrassi is when we learn more about her personal life and why she has such a complicated relationship with her father. The eighth and ninth seasons are a bit of a downer but Jane was certainly a bright light.
23. Drew Torres
If Degrassi had its own Ken doll it would be Drew Torres. He had the nice looks and probably the largest dating record. Everyone wanted to be with Drew even another student's mother. Yuck. Anyway, he worked his way up being a great character by always having a big heart despite not having the biggest brain at times. He didn't let that stop him though and that's something that makes him even more likable and adorable.
22. Imogen Moreno
Imogen is another character that it took me some time to appreciate. She first started off as being almost like a stalker of Eli Goldsworthy and tried to get him to forget his feelings for Clare Edwards. Did I mention Degrassi got really weird at times? Thankfully, she got over it and got to express herself more with her spunky style loaded with hair buns and cat dresses. She kinda became a comedic side character at times but you really felt for her in the episode when she found out her father is diagnosed with a disease. She was bright and bold on both the outside and inside and we totally love her for that.
21. Jimmy Brooks
I know Jimmy has become more of a meme now that the guy who played him became a famous rapper in real life but he was so much more than that. He was a laid back guy who dreamed of being a basketball player and almost had that all taken away from him. The school shooting episode is still unsettling to watch. Jimmy never gave up though and discovered his love for art and even fought hard to find a way to walk again.
20. Adam Torres
Adam was Drew's brother and the first transgender character on Degrassi. While he struggled with others not accepting it at times, Adam didn't give up hope that one day that would change. He was kind and caring to everyone he met and it was one of the most heartbreaking moments when we lost him.
19. Stephanie Kaye
"All the way with Stephanie Kaye". Boy, what a crazy way to start the first season of Degrassi Junior High. She was the girl that everyone wanted to be like or be with. Always had a way of making herself seem more mature despite the fact she would have to put on make-up and change to her revealing outfits in the girl's restroom. Even though her stay at the school was short-lived, Stephanie certainly had a long-lasting impression.
18. Sean Cameron
Sean Cameron would be your Rebel Without a Cause. The guy could never catch a break from getting in trouble. Even though he had a bad temper at times, he did manage to work through it with the help of his girlfriend Emma Nelson. He also saved many lives by stopping Rick when he showed up to school with a gun. It took some time for Sean to finally get his life back on track but joining the Army seemed to steer him in the right direction.
17. Holly J. Sinclair
The younger sister of the infamous and never seen on screen before, Heather Sinclair, Holly J. proved herself to be the next Queen Bee at Degrassi. She was smart, witty and wasn't afraid to whip you with her snobish remarks. Of course it was all just a cover to hide the fact that she was insecure and afraid of being in her sister's shadow, but she did get over herself and became a very likable character towards the end of her run.
16. Liberty Van Zandt
Liberty, Liberty, Liberty. Sorry, now I get that insurance jingle stuck in my head when I see her name. Liberty Van Zandt was the smartest girl at Degrassi and she held that trophy with pride. She also loved J.T. Yorke and their exchanges were like a couple from an old sitcom. At first, it was fun and cute until they got older and had to face new challenges but their love for each other was always true. She went through a lot after losing the people she loved most but she was able to work through it all and rise to the top.
15. Eli Goldsworthy
The Next Generation was looking for its emo boy and they sort of went in that direction with Craig Manning, but Eli Goldsworthy was really true to the phase. He was Hot Topic and all. Even drove a hearse named Morty and crashed it after he had his heart broken by his true love, Clare Edwards. The guy certainly wore his heart on his sleeve and on his tight, black jeans too.
14. Clare Edwards
Clare Edwards was a character that grew up naturally throughout the show. She's the younger sister of Darcy who went from bookworm schoolgirl to being a strong and independent young lady. She also went through a lot too but didn't let that stop her from chasing her dreams of attending university. That's the Degrassi spirit.
13. Craig Manning
Oh, Craig Manning. He was probably one of my major crushes as a teen but what girl didn't have one on him? He had the shaggy hair, the leather/jean jackets and the guitar. He had a way with words that won him over and also screwed him over. The guy was great at music but not so much with relationships. That didn't seem to matter much though because when in doubt, you always kiss Craig.
12. Derek "Wheels" Wheeler
My heart always breaks for Wheels. He started out as a very sweet and comforting character but after losing his parents, he began making bad choices that also made him lose his friends. Just a young man who was lost but when he made a special appearance in The Next Generation series, it seemed he was able to patch things up with his Zit Remedy bandmates. Sadly, the actor who played him, Neil Hope, passed away back in 2007. We will never forget our Wheels.
11. Emma Nelson
Emma Nelson actually came from Degrassi royalty. All of her parents were of the Degrassi alumi: her mother was Christine "Spike" Nelson, her father was Shane McKay and her step-father was Archie "Snake" Simpson. How cool is that? She was very outspoken and cared about saving the planet. She also had a habit of falling for bad boys like Sean Cameron and even married another former bad boy student we definitely were not expecting. Love life aside, Emma always fought and stood up for what she believed in and we thank her for that.
10. Paige Michalchuk
"New year, new look, new Paige". Oh, could there be a character introduction more iconic? I think not. Paige was the ultimate Queen Bee of Degrassi. Many have tried but could never hold a candle to her. She had style, wit and so much charisma. Though she seemed like a total bitch, Paige really cared for others and even helped those she never really saw eye to eye with through their darkest times. If she called you "hon", you knew she was looking out for you.
9. Marco Del Rossi
Who didn't love Marco? He was everyone's best friend. He was also the first main character on Degrassi to come out as gay. What I really appreciated about the early Next Generation seasons was that they tried to write their characters in a realistic way and not over dramatize their situations. It took Marco time to come out to his friends and family. It was great in a way where we got to watch him grow and become the confident person he is.
8. Ellie Nash
I loved Ellie. She was a character I related to a lot on a more personal and fashionable level. She was Degrassi's goth girl. She didn't care about the way she dressed and wasn't afraid to tell somebody off. Behind the eyeliner, skirts and boots was a girl that was sad and lonely because her home and love life weren't always the best. Still, she found a way to work past that and towards a happier path with a career in journalism.
7. Caitlyn Ryan
Caitlyn Ryan was Degrassi's girl-next-door. She was sweet, smart and simply beautiful. I'd say Emma Nelson even took a few tips from her because Caitlyn also cared about saving the enviornment and falling for boys that were usually trouble. She was independent though and didn't put up with something that she didn't feel was right. Yeah, I'm looking at you, Joey Jeremiah.
6. Archie "Snake" Simpson
Oh, that slithering Snake. He was actually a total sweetheart and it's no wonder why girls like Spike and Melanie fell for him. He was also smart and played guitar in the most important band of all time, The Zit Remedy. Snake was usually always caught in the middle of things whether it was between his buddies fighting or girls wanting him for a date. Being the caring person that he is, it was no surprise that he followed in Mr. Raditch's footsteps and ended becoming a teacher. There he taught all of The Next Generation kids and then eventually bumped to principal towards the end and going into the next series Next Class. No matter what, Mr. Simpson always made sure his family and students came first.
5. Gavin "Spinner" Mason
Spinner Mason lived and breathed Degrassi much like Mr. Simpson. He was one of the longest running characters throughout the Next Generation series and certainly one of the characters that went though the most changes. I'm not just talking about his hairstyles. He went from being a troublemaker to finding Jesus to fighting cancer to getting married and running the local hot spot, The Dot. It took a lot of ups and downs for him to get there too but he learned that if he could survive through that then he could survive through anything.
4. Manny Santos
Manuela Santos was another character that went though many changes during her time attending Degrassi. Best friend of Emma Nelson, Manny started out very dearing then decided she was tired of always being just cute. In came the infamous "thong" scene and her life was forever changed. She struggled with being labeled as the school's slut because of her looks and coming in between a few relationships. She was able to learn from her mistakes and finally put a better focus on herself. Life was cuckoo bananas at times for Manny but she pushed through and followed her dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress.
3. J.T. Yorke
It's impossible to think of James Tiberius Yorke (yes, that was his full name) without getting a little emotional. He was known as the class clown at Degrassi. People loved him not only for just his humor but for his gentle heart as well. At first, J.T. used his jokes to gain popularity and girls but as life moved on and got more serious so did he. He fell in love and help take care of the girl who drove him nuts as kids when they found out they were expecting a kid. Unfortunately, J.T.'s life was cut short and that moment changed the show forever. Things certainly weren't the same after his death but he always brought a smile every time he appeared on the TV screen.
2. Christine "Spike" Nelson
First off, let me just say that Spike is my favorite Degrassi character. I felt she was the one that I really connected to the most from the early Degrassi Junior High/Degrassi High days. No, I wasn't a teenager in the '80s (I wish!), but I did listen to a lot of punk and new wave music growing up and dressed in a lot of band shirts. Spike's outfits and wild hairstyle drew lots of attention but it was her becoming pregnant at the age of fourteen that got it the most. She had to deal with the fact that the parents of other students wanted her to leave the school because they felt she was a bad influence. Also, the father of the baby wasn't able to be there for her after he took some acid and fell off a cliff. Despite the difficulties of being a single mom, Spike worked hard and graduated. She also followed in her mom's footsteps by becoming a hairdresser and eventually married her high school crush, Snake, by the time the Next Generation was in its second season. Way to go, Spike!
1. Joey Jeremiah
Joey Jeremiah: rad dude, leader of The Zit Remedy, ladies' man and always at your service. Well, at least in his mind he was. Nah, Joey was a cool guy. He had the charm and always tried to lighten the mood when things would get tough. Sometimes it was a shield to hide his own personal problems like his relationship with Caitlin Ryan. He was a jokester but could be a really caring friend even to his high school enemies like Dwayne. Joey had it all and I personally believe the show would not have taken off the way it did if it weren't for him. I have to tip my fedora in honor of the greatest Degrassi character of all-time.
So there you have it, twenty-five characters who went to the school that has lasted through generations and showed us the important struggles of the typical teenager. If a show ever went there, it was definitely Degrassi.
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