Sit, stay, code: unleashing my first HTML site
One of my favorite classes in the University of Maryland's journalism graduate program was an interactive design course with Gagan Nirula, the digital strategist for the National Association of Broadcasters.
After learning the basics of HTML and CSS, we were tasked with building our first website: a "fan site" dedicated to something we were passionate about. Most students chose celebrities, athletes, or historical figures.
I, of course, dedicated mine to my dogs.
The assignment
The website needed to meet a few basic requirements:
- At least two linked pages
- Basic HTML and CSS tags (H1, colors, etc.)
- Three or more photos of our chosen subject (dogs, in my case)
- At least one embedded video
- A brief bio and links to related content
About the story
Telling my story through the perspective of my dogs became a cathartic experience as I processed delayed grief through a demanding academic program.
In 2022, my world turned upside down with three back-to-back losses, including the passing of my father. Suddenly, months before starting the program, I "inherited" his 100-pound German shepherd, Dexter.
What I didn't realize at the time was how sensitive German Shepherds can be. Known as "Velcro dogs," they form deep bonds with one person. When Dexter lost his person — the hook to his loop — he became visibly depressed and developed behavioral issues.
Driving him from New Hampshire to D.C. and introducing him to our household of senior dogs was unexpectedly overwhelming for all of us. And I unintentionally set everyone up for failure. But, through it all, in helping Dexter, I also helped myself.
It took a year of patience, hard work, love and some behavioral medicine to get us to where we are today. And while this HTML site was as simple as it gets, I'm proud of how it turned out.
Looking back, this project wasn’t just about learning web design. It was about storytelling, problem-solving and personal growth. What started as a class assignment became a fun tribute — and a stepping stone toward building my web portfolio.
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