"I think the most challenging thing for me was the first season because I'd been hanging around for my whole life with the same group of kids, had the same routine. Everything was sort of one thing and then when Degrassi started, we moved to Toronto, I switched schools, I switched groups of friends, it was sort of a new starting point. So that was a sort of difficulty to...get a grounding, establish a new... idea of myself, or a new perception of who I am and where I want to take myself. It was...difficult making a transition. There are still things that are difficult about being an actor and being a student, but at the same time, it gives you a challenge, and it gives you more perspective." - Miriam McDonald

Where to begin...Emma Nelson. Degrassi's very own Environmental Girl. Born back in the Degrassi Junior High days, Emma is one of the leading and most important characters on Degrassi. We first see Miriam in "The Next Generation" series in "Mother & Child Reunion." Where she meets a boy she falls in love with..On the internet. Things don't go too well, and Emma is trapped in a room with a full grown man planing to rape & video tape her. Those were the early days of Emma, she's then since matured.

As we follow Emma through her 7th grade years, she finds love, courage, and what growing up is all about. She makes it through embarrassing moments such as when she got her period, and when she performed in the cabaret with mischievous Toby. She also discovers heartbreak. When Sean pushes her to the ground, she leaves him. For good? Nah.

During 8th grade, new doors open for Emma. Her mom starts dating a teacher, and at first, Emma doesn't take it all too good. She enters the science fair, only to find out Mr. Simpson was the judge and Emma wins. After she hears Liberty talking about how it wasn't fair, Emma goes to Snake for the truth. Emma eventually lightens up though, and before we know it, here comes the wedding! Her mom, Spike, marries her teacher, Snake! It's a chaotic wedding, and after its all said and done, she finds love again. In no other than her hubby, Sean. They kiss and are reunited once again. Then, Emma's protesting side comes out as she protests against GM foods. All in all, she starts a food fight, gets suspended, is forced to apologize, and gets suspended again. Not too good after all.

High School. And Emma's new baby brother is almost on its way, which makes Emma go on a hunt for her birth father. When she finally reaches him, She finds out he is mentally retarded. After all that is done, Emma is happy with her boyfriend, Sean. That is until he starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, and Sean soon dumps her. She gets over him fast, and goes after the new kid, Chris. She leans in to kiss him, then learns he has a girlfriend. Ouch. Emma isn't over Sean after all. She still feels the need to get back at him for breaking her heart. Emma does all she can and eventually lands Sean 2 months of Saturday Detention. She learns her best friend is pregnant, her step dad has cancer, and gets into a fight with Alex. The year ends, Snake is cured, and everything is good.

Emma hates violence. And when Rick comes back to Degrassi, she will stop at nothing to get him to leave. It certainly works, because Rick died. Jimmy got shot, and Emma got screwed up. Her old love moved away, and she just fell into pieces. She started having oral sex with Jay, who gave her Gonorrhea. She enjoyed him at first, but after that, not anymore. Nothing much goes on with Emma the rest of the year.

As 11th grade approaches, Emma's friend, Manny decides she wants a boob job. Emma likes Peter, but Manny flashes her boobs at him. Emma finds out and yells at Manny, then they become friends again. But are under a strict code "NO LIES..EVER!" Which doesn't last long for Emma. She starts dating Peter! The boy that taped her best friend and sent out the video to the whole school. If Manny found out, wow, she would be hurt. She secretly dates him. At the "Jay & Silent Bob Premiere" Emma sneaks behind the theater to make out with her new man. She then see's no other than her step dad and Peter's mom MAKING OUT! Emma is shocked, runs home, starts crying, and then Snake leaves. After all that's been happening to her, she cannot take it anymore! She becomes obsessed and goes bulimic. The outcome? She has to get help from the family and hospitalized!

In Season 6, Emma experienced such things as the death of a friend and love triangles that can go on forever! Emma also learns about being pregnant and maybe Sean and Emma aren't suppose to end together, although Sean is going to enroll in the Army. Through it all, Emma stood strong!

Most of the text was taken: Miriam Web. (No longer open.)