On Thursday, ten local acts put on their best and preformed in the finals of LaGrange Has Talent. The event raised money for Babies Learning on Course for Kindergarten Success, which is focused on early childhood literacy.

The final numbers weren’t final last Thursday, but it is estimated that LaGrange Has Talent raised more than $20,000 this year. Money was raised mainly through online voting. It cost $1 per vote.

Our Circle and LaGrange College Campus Circle won the event after performing a choreographed dance to “This is Me.” And while they won LaGrange Has Talent, the real winner for it all was the community.

We all know Troup County is a special community that gives.

But it’s really encouraging to see that much raised for a local cause. LaGrange Has Talent founder Stephanie Preston said what they raised this year was a 40 percent increase from last year’s event.

It’s encouraging to know how much will be spent to help the children in our community and that locals helped raise $20,000. We look forward to next year’s LaGrange Has Talent, and how the community will respond.