Fort Myers teen wins model car trophy

Justin Hough, 14, likes cars. Recently he and his mom flew to California to compete nationally in the Hagerty Insurance's National Youth Model-Building Contest.

Hough was invited to California after building a model car with David Moll and winning.

Moll and Hough are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Florida program and the pair have been together for five years.

"My big brother had told me about (the contest) and me and him decided together that we would build it," said Hough, of Fort Myers.

The local contest was hosted by the Gulfshore Mustang Club of Southwest Florida, which selected the Big Brother Big Sisters program as its main charity.

"This is the first time I've had a little brother and big brother compete in a national competition," said Monica Monahan, vice president of Big and Little programs throughout Lee and Collier counties. "What an exciting opportunity."

And, the excitement grew when it was announced that Hough was the second place winner of the national competition held in California.

"He kinda tricked me. He looked down when I went to pick him up, and when the bags came, he pulled out this gorgeous trophy for second place," said Moll about a prank Hough played on him when he met him at the airport.

"That's the kind of kid he is. He likes to joke around and have a good time."

In California, Hough and his mom took pictures with Jay Leno from "The Tonight Show"and got his autograph. Leno was one of the judges at the competition.

"I didn't believe it really," said Hough after placing second. "It's been a great experience."

Moll said he wasn't surprised that Hough won the award because he put his best effort into the car.

The car originally came in a box in pieces that had to be assembled, painted and decorated with decals. It took a month and a half to build.

"He tried and gave this his best shot and I hope that this will carry into his school work and he will try harder," Moll said. "We talked about his (educational) interest beyond high school and he hasn't come up with anything yet but that's not unusual."