Denise Morris always knew she wanted to be a teacher but thought English would be her chosen field. After enrolling in Home Economics in 8th grade, becoming a member of FHA/HERO in high school and the positive influence of her home economics teacher, Bea Paul, she quickly realized Home Economics was where she needed to be. She served as president of Chisholm High School’s FHA/HERO chapter her senior year and enrolled in Oklahoma State University in 1979. While at OSU, she was elected to the Home Economics Freshman Student Council and then to the College of Home Economics student government. She was a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Dean and Presidents Honor Rolls and was recognized as a Top Ten Senior for the College of Home Economics.
Denise started her teaching career at Helena-Goltry High School and finished at her alma mater Chisholm High School. As a Family and Consumer Sciences educator, she strived to provide opportunities for her students academically as well as through the student organization FHA/HERO now Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). During her teaching career, Denise advised six FHA/HERO state officers and numerous district officers. She had multiple STAR Event winners at the district, region, state, and national levels. To watch her students, succeed and grow personally and professionally gave her great satisfaction. Denise was named Teacher of the Year at Helena-Goltry and Chisholm High Schools, OkACTE Outstanding New Teacher, and FCCLA Master Adviser.
Her passion for FCCLA turned into a career change in 1999 as she became the Oklahoma FCCLA State Adviser. For the next 21 years, Denise had a steadfast commitment to take the Oklahoma FCCLA legacy left to her and move it forward. Under her leadership, Oklahoma FCCLA had 13 national officers including one national president. Oklahoma was chosen to pilot the STOP the Violence program and several new STAR Events and was the first state to implement post-secondary membership and competitions.
National FCCLA tagged her to serve on numerous task forces including bylaws, elections, meetings, diversity, and competitive events. She served as the Southern Region representative on the State Leadership Team and as the lead coordinator for national STAR Events. Denise was elected to the National Board of Directors where she served a four-year term as Chair Elect, Chair and Past Chair. National FCCLA has awarded her the National Distinguished Service Award, State Adviser of the Year, she was one of 75 people chosen for the 75th Anniversary Hall of Fame, and she received the National Honorary Member Award. She is a Lifetime Member of both the Oklahoma and National FCCLA alumni organizations.
While serving as state adviser, Morris also had the dual role of advising the Oklahoma FCCLA Alumni Association (OAA). OAA had just begun, and the vision was to become a support organization to FCCLA members and advisers. The alumni activities have grown to include a state convention activity, a partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder, an FCCLA merchandise store and two higher education scholarships granted to members each year. To ensure that Oklahoma FCCLA members continue to have opportunities, Denise has set up a fund to support the Summer Leadership Summit to spark the passion in young members.
Additional awards include the NATFACS Distinguished Service Award and being named an Outstanding Alumni for the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University.
Since retiring, Denise continues her involvement in Oklahoma FCCLA by serving as a competitive events evaluator and has collaborated to write two new competitions. Her passion for students has led her to substitute teach at Autry Technology Center and Chisholm High School, and work with the youth at her church.
Denise is married to her husband Rick, has two daughters Robin Morris and Erin (David) Moss and two grandsons. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, traveling and her grandsons’ activities.
