Ashley Perry waited apprehensively as the rear hatch of her family’s SUV opened.

The storage area was crowded with containers, luggage and bags of all sorts. Perry — the reigning Miss Heart of St. Louis and a candidate for Miss Missouri — reacted quickly as an item perched at the top began to slide off.

“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” said her father, Tim Perry, of the struggle to load a car with everything necessary for the week. “It’s a challenge.”

On Sunday morning the Miss Missouri Scholarship Competition began for 24 candidates, 2019 winner Simone Esters, three pages and two dorm moms with the most mundane production, the move in. Assisted by family members and five Boy Scouts from Troop 57, they formed a procession moving from overloaded vehicle to dorm room and back.

Candidates are housed on the Missouri Military Academy campus, where the competition takes place starting this evening. With concerns over the pandemic in mind, organizers staggered arrival times for the candidates.

This didn’t make things any easier for the scouts charged with carrying part of the load. Less than 45 minutes into move in morning, each had made 10 to 15 trips from the unloading area to the dorm.

“It’s hot, that’s about it,” said Kaden Rezabek, a member of Troop 57.

“Some stuff is heavy, but it could be worse,” scout Dragen McCarthy added moments later. He paused, gathering in the distance. “I think we’re halfway done.”

The move in is constant motion, punctuated by delighted greetings and hugs. The little choreography to this routine is provided by Rick Rezabek, who checks new arrivals in as they step from their vehicles, as well as Tori Webber and Liz Lauer, tasked with collecting paperwork and handing out badges.

The heavy lifting falls on family members, but most have been through it before.

“There is a system to it,” explained Jennifer Beard, the mother of Miss Forest Park Christina Beard. In addition to the usual luggage and comforts, candidates require clothing for rehearsals, public appearances and performances.

So Beard organizes everything, labeling each suitcase, garment bag and container according to date and event.

Beard added that attention to detail in loading and unloading ensures that “you don’t have to think while you’re here.”

Perry said she started packing two weeks ago. But the pace became more frantic on Saturday night. Perry and her parents were up until after midnight.

First thing on Sunday morning they filled the SUV and made the trek from St. Charles to Mexico.

Once everyone arrives, it all goes smoothly. Troop 57 has helped out for the past five years. The other volunteers have experience with the process.

And it’s appreciated.

“The move in has been a relief,” said Angie Adrain, mother of Miss Northwest, Lochlyn Adrian.