Larry Bartlett, a Bath resident and professional engineer, was presented with the 2013 Mainsail Award in a ceremony at Morse High School.

First given in the spring of 1980 by Morse’s School Community Liaison Council, the award recognizes people who have made exceptional contributions to the youth of the Greater Bath community.

Kyle Hietala, chairman of the SCLC, described Bartlett, who has resided in Bath with his wife for nearly 30 years, as “a pillar of our community and an exemplar of the enduring ideals of American citizenship.”

One of the people who nominated him for the award wrote Bartlett “has spent years working with the young people of Bath, not for the recognition or the notoriety, but for the sheer joy it brings him to see them do well and succeed.”

A Rockland native, Bartlett proudly crowned himself with a Morse hat during an acceptance speech in May, stating the award made him feel that he had been officially “adopted” by the Bath community.

Speaking directly to students in the audience, Bartlett said, “Through these doors walk the finest young people in the world,” quoting a maxim from Morse English teacher Kevin O’ Leary painted above the school’s entrance.

Bartlett told students, “Those words are about you, and how true they are!”

Hietala, as a tribute to Bartlett’s role as Morse debate coach, presented the award in the format of a debate case.

Bartlett said he was honored to receive the award.

“There can be no other accomplishment that could even come close to this in my life,” he said.

“There is no greater thrill than to be selected by SCLC … by students of this great learning institution for this tremendous award.”

He nodded to past Mainsail recipients, noting that he now stands among many “pillars of the community.”

At a reception afterward, students and faculty expressed their gratitude for Bartlett’s record of service to the city.

Having sent all three of his daughters to Morse High School, Bartlett said: “I fell in love with this wonderful city and its people.”

And Bartlett said sincerely, “How could anyone want to live anywhere else?”

Hietala cited Bartlett’s consultation services to the city as a professional engineer, as well as his tenure as the chairman of the Bath Planning Board from 1986 to 1990.

Bartlett has also led youth groups and Sunday School at Grace Episcopal Church, and evening services and study groups at Elim Community Church.