Caitlin Ryan (Stacie Mistysyn)

Stacie Mistysyn was one of the actors who was also in Kids of Degrassi Street, since age 10 (she played Lisa Canard, see The Kids of Degrassi Street). Caitlin is the straight "A" student of Degrassi. Her character is strong-willed, and intelligent. Caitlin is all for her principles and beliefs, even if there are two sides to the story. She wanted to keep Spike at Degrassi even when parents wanted to kick her out. She is an environmentalist, feminist, writer, and an artist in the making. 

She is all for many causes, even if the consequences may be hurtful.  She questioned her sexuality in the first year, got epilepsy in the 2nd year, fell in love with Joey in the 3rd year, broke up with him, went out with Claude, went to court because of vandalism, fought for Ms. Avery to stay in school so she can work full time, but Ms. Avery wanted to pursue full time teaching, not being a permanent substitute teacher.

Caitlin is very passionate about many issues, and she has a very spontaneous personality, as with Liz, when she was involved with animals rights. Cailtin was always the number one crusader against any "issue", but when she finds out there is more than one side to the story, she understands that the situation was too complex. 

Caitlin is very sincere, and very determined, like a perfectionist. She wants to succeed and stride for the best.  In "Smokescreen", she , Susie, and Rick  became the environmentalists, and in "Bottled Up", and "The Cover Up", she tried to be the saviour by trying to help Kathleen deal with her alcoholic mother, and she and Susie tried to make Rick smile when his life was filled with anger because of his physically abusive father. 

In Season Five of Degrassi High, there is a spark between Caitlin and Joey again. Her father cheats on her mother, so Caitlin moves out because she is disgusted with his behaviour.

Caitlin's ex-boyfriend Claude commits suicide for attention, haunts Caitlin to the point of nightmares. It is apparent that she feels guilty for Claude's death, thus she is having much trouble dealing with it. Luckily Caitlin is assigned to tutor Joey, so she tells Joey that Claude sent her flowers, and she is haunted by his memory. joey comforts her, and there are signs that their relationship may be restarted.
She is a strong character who has gone through a lot in these past 5 years.  We never see her brother Patrick, who is younger, because she babysits him in "Rumour Has It".  Caitlin's parents do not get divorced, she loses her virginity to Joey in School's Out, and then she breaks up with him because he cheats on her with Tessa.

Caitlin has a medly of traits in her personality. She can be the bitch, the kindred spirit, the logical, and the irrational. She is the most dimensional as she is multifacetted with different parts to her personality.