What is a canon event? According to Merriam-Webster, “A canon event is an experience in a person’s life that comes to shape or define who they are”, so imagine a moment in life that you will never forget. Whether that moment is memorable, embarrassing, or completely life-changing, it became an unforgettable memory that influenced them. Moments like these are often called canon events. The phrase gained popularity from the movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and quickly became a TikTok trend (Kuo, 2023). Typically, the trend is focused on lighthearted and embarrassing moments, though the phrase can refer to truly significant events, as well (Kuo, 2023). As kids, they often believe their experiences are unique, but as they get older, they learn that many of those memories are shared with multiple people. In fact, watching kids do the same things today that they did ten or twenty years ago makes them realize these are canon events. The Courier wanted to dive deeper and learn about the canon events of some of Lewis Cass’s very own students and staff.
Nearly all students shared the same canon events since most experiences in school are almost universal. One common example is tripping in hallways. Whether it is catching a shoe on the tile or slipping on the wet floor, it is an embarrassing moment that is later followed by reminiscent laughter. Another classic example is overusing Snapchat filters. When Snapchat peaked in 2016-2017, most people used filters ranging from dog ears to dramatic lighting as the social norm. There are also sports-related canon events, such as pushing through a hard practice, stepping up from failure, or celebrating a big win with teammates. These moments are influential to most people and leave a lasting impact. More popular canon events that were shared by some students at Lewis Cass were wearing side parts, high ponytails, and big JoJo bows in their hair during elementary and middle school. Some other people had a goth or emo phase during school and wore dark clothes with chokers for fashion. Another popular canon event among students was dyeing their hair at home. Whether it was bright colors that stand out or natural colors that matched facial features, students expressed their personalities through their appearance.
While many of today’s students share similar canon events, older generations experienced their own memorable moments shaped by the trends and culture of their time. A popular canon event was wearing pegged jeans and having big, feathered hair in high school. In college, some people went through a hippie phase or grunge phase along with their peers. Whether in high school or college, most outfits were customized with Eastland loafers and Justin Boots that are surprisingly making a comeback.
While some canon events are relatable, others are more personal and tied to phases or interests that shape someone’s identity. Unique canon events shared by Lewis Cass staff, such as “being homeless in another country”, “getting out of a bad relationship”, and “moving states and attending a new high school after freshman year”, have equipped our staff with knowledge and experience to guide students on their own journey towards adulthood as they have similar experiences. These adults are ever learning as they continue to go through the highs and lows that every person experiences, which may lead to something greater, maybe even unexpected. Eighth-grade science teacher, Coach Amor said, “While student-teaching in 2006-2007, the principal asked me to coach the 6th-grade girls’ basketball team; it hooked me for life.” This became a monumental canon event that added to his passion for teaching and coaching.
In addition to the staff’s unique canon events, Lewis Cass students have shared their own as well. These canon events range from an embarrassing memory to a transformative experience. One student revealed, “I was in a rush, and I needed to leave the school quickly. I put my truck in drive and almost ran into the car in front of me.” Another shared, “Wearing high waters throughout middle school because I was too tall for normal pants was my canon event.” Others have admitted “moving to the US” and “my dogs dying the same year, exactly a month apart for the same reason” are impactful moments they still carry with them.
Canon events, whether funny or serious, help shape one’s life and how they handle it. They remind us that everyone has experienced awkward phases, personal struggles, and defining moments. Looking back, the embarrassing hallway falls, questionable fashion choices, and weird online trends might seem silly, but those moments are what make school years memorable.
