“We have mustard, we can get ketchup.”

Tori Webber is on the phone, sounding just like a mom making sure her husband is clear about the shopping list. She insists on punctuality — the meat should arrive at 5 p.m. — and scribbles a reminder that they need to stock up on ham.

Her day involves a lot of organizing, some routine tasks and the occasional crisis. On Sunday evening, for instance, there was a moment of panic when the lock clicked as Miss Missouri left her room.

Yes, Miss Missouri. Simone Esters.

Webber is one of two dorm moms for the Miss Missouri Scholarship Competition held at Missouri Military Academy. With the help of Liz Lauer, she spent the week chaperoning candidates, listening as they unwound from a day of rehearsal, arranging meals and such.

“It’s unbelievable what goes on behind the scenes,” Webber pointed out.

For a production like Miss Missouri and Outstanding Teen to run smoothly on stage, a team of volunteers must make the nagging duties of daily life disappear, at least from the minds of the candidates.

As Webber was on the phone, the Outstanding Teens were on stage honing a dance routine. Miss Missouri candidates were working in a secondary gym. Three volunteers remained in the dorm to accept deliveries — flowers and gifts from family and friends arrive steadily — and another three huddled over computers backstage.

“We have six pages, and a couple of them can drive,” Webber said. The girls who serve as pages tend to necessary errands for candidates and other volunteers. “I just sent them to McDonalds,” she added. “This morning they picked up blueberry muffins.”

Food for all meals served in the dorm’s makeshift cafeteria (it is a recreation room during the school year) is donated by local organizations. Cleek’s provided two refrigerators for the week. Culligan set up water coolers. Crown Linen brought fresh towels every day.

The role of dorm mom is similar to that of a residential director in college, but without the random moments of rowdy behavior.

“It’s not a bunch of girls coming to camp,” Webber said of the candidates. “They are very responsible.”

After rehearsal, many candidates prefer to relax and visit with each other. Some retire to work on their talent.

There is something of a dorm atmosphere. And although the MMA facility has been renovated, comforts of home are lacking — something that can come as a surprise.

“I forgot you needed to wear shower shoes,” Webber said. A page was sent scurrying to find a pair.

“This morning I wore my glasses into the shower,” she added with a laugh. Dorm showers don’t have handy shelving.

Webber has a rich familiarity with the event. Years ago she belonged to an organization that provided a meal for the candidates. She drove a golf cart in the parade after that. Then her daughter became a page and Webber turned her attention to the concession stand (“I was popcorn queen”).

She has served as hostess, the volunteers each assigned to assist two candidates prepare for the stage in the unadorned dressing room tucked downstairs.

This is her first turn at dorm mom. And she says it is just what she expected.

“I wanted to do this,” she explained. “I know the ladies who did it before.”

Webber learned from longtime door moms Pat Gruber and Jackie Barnett, who retired after 2019. Both helped her adjust to the role.

But it’s likely neither had to deal with a locked door and an unknown code. No matter. Webber is a dorm mom. She found a solution.