Teen honored for halting bus attack

BELLEVILLE -- To Steven Raines, standing up for a fellow student is simply the right thing to do.

That's why the Belleville West High School junior took it upon himself to intervene in the Sept. 14 attack on another student during a bus ride to school, an act that earned him an award Thursday from the Belleville West Side Optimist Club.

"I appreciate being recognized for what I think is a small thing that I did -- just something that was right," Steven said as he accepted the award.

The videotaped attack sparked national attention. Police originally called it racially motivated, but recanted that statement the next day and said it was a case of bullying.

The 14- and 15-year-old suspects were charged with aggravated battery Friday and expelled from the high school Monday night.

Steven could be seen in the video holding one of the two attackers away from the victim.

"I just felt like it was something that needed to be done," he said.

Barbara Beuckman, the Optimist Club co-president, said Steven's actions "demonstrated that young people of today are willing to stand up for what they believe is correct," which she said is also a testament to his parents, and other parents like them, who teach their kids what is right.

Steven said watching the two suspects continually hit the victim without the victim making any efforts to defend himself angered him to the point where he felt he needed to step in, despite being the only student on the bus to do so.

"Sometimes people need to realize violence isn't funny, and if a student needs help, you should help instead of laughing" he said.

Raines' mother, Christy Dover, said while she found the video of the attack shocking, it also made her proud of her son.

"It made me feel proud, like I taught him some good morals," she said. "It took a lot of courage for him to stand up for what's right."

While Belleville West Principal Bob Dahm was not at the awards ceremony, he said Steven set a great example for every student at his school.

"He's a normal young man who faces the same pressures as virtually anyone else on that bus who ignored doing the right thing, and he stepped up and did the right thing," Dahm said. "There's no excuse for any student to not step up and do the right thing."

Several community figures also expressed pride in Steven's actions and his courage at the ceremony.

"You're the guy who stood up, that had the courage when everybody else lacked that courage," Belleville Police Chief William Clay told Steven when presenting him with the award. "You're an outstanding young man."

Mayor Mark Eckert said although the school bus incident has been tough on the city, Steven has been an example of the good character that can be found in Belleville.

"We talk about being a community of character," Eckert said. "This is truly positive character."

State Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, said Steven's actions offer an example for the community to emulate.

"Sometimes things happen for a reason," Clayborne said. "I think this is an opportunity for all of us to teach our sons and daughters character, to help them move along and make the right decisions."

Steven's award came with a $50 savings bond, a gift the victim also will receive.