'It's looking very promising' Mote expands red tide research “We paused it at Alexander's name, and you know, he thought that was very cool,” said Alexander's father, Thomas Hedge. “We pointed to it, got some pictures on the screen, and then we didn't push play anymore.” It wasn't until two days later when he met some friends at Culver's that he realized his prize was much more than he imagined. Alexander's friend Issac, who also watched the video, blurted out that Alexander had won a car. Turns out, it was a new Tesla Model 3. His prize was announced at the end of the video. “Naturally, I'm skeptical,” Hedge said. “I'm like, 'come on Issac, you're kidding around right?” Alexander and his 12-year-old brother Preston love watching MrBeast videos. The Youtube sensation's channel consists of stunt videos, usually giving away cars and large amounts of cash. He sometimes hosts competitions and games where his fans have a chance to win extravagant prizes. When Hedge pulled up the video where they had paused it, the family was in disbelief. “MrBeast brought out the Tesla and said that we didn't tell you guys, but we wrapped all the names of the people who bought the T-shirt on the Tesla, and one of his friends is going to pick up the name of the person who wins,” Hedge said. “And sure enough, his hand runs down the car, he tells him to stop and uses his pinky to point. And there was Alexander Hedge.” Similar to a scene from a cartoon, Alexander's eyes nearly popped out of his head and his mouth dropped open, according to his dad. The first thing Alexander asked his dad was, “Is that real?” “Congratulations Alexander, you just won a brand new Tesla,” MrBeast said in the announcement video. The YouTuber did not respond to requests for comment through his publicist. A few weeks later, the Tesla was dropped off right at their door on Sept. 23. The boys ran up to the car and pointed out that MrBeast had signed it right next to Alexander's name. Hedge dropped off his sons at their school and picked them up in their new car. “Alexander and his friends were all just freaking out,” Hedge said. “A bunch of fourth- and fifth-graders were all in disbelief.” Hedge says they get stares anywhere they go in the Tesla. Although Alexander isn't quite old enough to drive his new car yet, he enjoys playing with the special features inside. “It's got a lot of noise, an outdoor speaker with a crazy horn, and it has a whoopee cushion button,” Hedge said. “That's his favorite.”