We recently connected with Tracy Drost and have shared our conversation below.

Tracy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to help children understand the power of philanthropy and to make giving back part of who they are—not just something they do.

As a mother of three, I’ve always believed it’s important to teach my children how blessed they are and how much good they can create in the world. From the time they were small, I’ve encouraged them to see giving as an everyday choice—whether that means helping a neighbor, donating toys, or showing kindness to someone who feels left out.

One way we bring this mission to life in our family is by choosing a different charity to sponsor every month. My children help research causes, learn about the needs in our community, and decide together where we want to focus our efforts. This process gives them a sense of autonomy and ownership—they aren’t just following along; they are leading with their hearts.

What’s so meaningful to me is watching them discover that philanthropy isn’t about the size of your contribution. It’s about the spirit behind it. It’s about seeing someone else’s struggle and knowing you have the power—even as a child—to bring hope, relief, and encouragement.

As Mrs. Illinois America, I’m passionate about sharing this message far beyond my own home. I want families everywhere to know that teaching children to give back doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. It can start with a simple question: “Who could we help this month?” When children grow up understanding that their time and compassion matter, they build the confidence and empathy that will serve them—and the world—for the rest of their lives.

For me, this mission is more than a platform. It’s a way of parenting and a way of living that I hope inspires others to raise the next generation of givers and changemakers.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My journey into pageantry was never about crowns or sashes—it was about finding a larger platform to share what matters most to me: raising compassionate children, supporting causes that lift others up, and inspiring families to make giving back a part of everyday life. My experience in community leadership and volunteering showed me how impactful it is when people come together around a mission, and I wanted to shine a light on that work in a bigger way.

Through my role, I provide education, resources, and inspiration to help families, schools, and community groups engage children in service. I create programs and speaking engagements designed to show parents and educators simple ways to spark generosity in young people. I also partner with charities and nonprofit organizations to raise awareness and support, often involving my own children so they can experience the joy of making a difference firsthand.

What sets me apart is my focus on empowering kids to lead the way. Each month, my family picks a new charity to sponsor together, giving my children a voice in where our efforts go. This practice has been transformational—it gives them confidence, teaches empathy, and shows them that even the smallest hands can make a big impact.

I’m most proud of the ripple effect I’ve seen in our community and beyond. When people see that philanthropy isn’t reserved for adults or reserved for the wealthy, they realize it can be woven into family life in simple, meaningful ways.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s that my mission comes straight from the heart. My hope is that families who follow my journey feel encouraged to start their own traditions of giving. You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment or have all the answers—just start where you are, with what you have.

More than anything, I believe that when we empower our children to care for others, we are shaping a generation that will lead with love, purpose, and courage. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the stranglehold of the rat race—the belief that success is measured solely by how busy you are or how many boxes you can check off in a day. For a long time, I thought that running faster, doing more, and constantly striving for the next milestone was the path to fulfillment.

But becoming a mother changed everything. Having children gave me a new lens to see what truly matters. When you slow down enough to look into your children’s eyes, you realize that so many of the answers you’ve been chasing were already inside you all along. They remind you to be present, to be grateful, and to be intentional with how you spend your time and energy.

My backstory is pretty simple at its heart: I’m a woman who grew up believing in hard work and community, and I carried that drive into every area of my life—my career, my volunteer work, my personal ambitions. But I also carried the pressure to keep up and measure my worth by constant achievement.

It took stepping back and embracing motherhood fully to see that there is something bigger than the hustle. I had to unlearn that my value was tied to productivity, and relearn that purpose is found in how you love, serve, and show up for others.

That perspective shift is what fuels my mission today. It’s why I’m so passionate about teaching children—and their families—that fulfillment doesn’t come from the race to have more or do more. It comes from using your gifts to make life better for someone else.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that truly captures my resilience happened a few years ago when I was balancing the demands of parenting three young children, managing a household, and trying to show up for my community. There was a season when everything felt overwhelming. I remember staying up late after the kids were asleep, researching ways to involve them in giving back, even though I was exhausted and stretched thin.

One evening, after a particularly long day, my daughter asked me why I cared so much about helping people we didn’t even know. I was standing there in the kitchen, tired and feeling like maybe I wasn’t making any difference at all. But in that moment, I realized she was watching every choice I made—how I handled stress, how I treated others, and whether I kept my word when it was hard.

Instead of brushing off her question or letting my fatigue get the better of me, I knelt down and told her the truth: that life isn’t just about making ourselves comfortable—it’s about finding ways to lift others up, even when it takes extra effort. I explained that when you have something to give—your time, your voice, your kindness—you don’t wait until it’s convenient. You give anyway.

From then on, I committed to involving my children more intentionally in our monthly service projects, not because it was easy, but because I wanted them to see that resilience doesn’t always look like pushing yourself to the brink. Sometimes, it looks like quietly showing up, over and over, for what you believe in.

That season taught me that being a resilient parent isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about modeling grace under pressure, staying true to your values, and letting your children witness that doing something better for others—and for them—is always worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://illinoisamericapageants.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsilamerica25/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.drost

Image Credits

Tracy Drost