A few years ago, I had to hire a high school kid to help a little old lady keep her driveway shoveled out after each storm. It was a brutal winter in 04074 land, so it was a big job. Had eight applicants – six boys, two girls.

For reasons not important here, I had about five minutes, finally, to make the decision. (I was reminded of it all when I saw the kid I hired at the Portland Expo last week at an SHS boys hoop game. Nice chat).

How did I make it? What factors did I consider? (More important, what factors, in a modern society, was I “allowed” to consider, and deem important? A more delicate issue than you might think…).

I had resumes from each.

I had met in person with seven. Talked by phone with the other.

Here are thoughts that flashed through my mind as I had to make the decision quickly (because lady’s son would be calling from Florida soon, and he wanted a decision, wanted Social Security number, names for checks, etc.):

1. Friend who coached high school sports for 20 years said: “The runners and baseball players are best for jobs requiring perseverance and communication. Hockey players will do tough jobs. Basketball players, sadly, too much NBA influence – slam dunks, dribble behind the back, hard to figure them…” He has not been proven incorrect;

2. Guy who gives music lessons said: “The kids who play the mouth instruments have been the most reliable with me for lessons, showing up, practicing. Those instruments are hard. The kids who just use their hands – percussion, keyboards, strings – have not shown me the level of patience often over 15 years.” Interesting;

3. A teacher at SHS for nearly 40 years said: “These are all cliche?s, I know, but I knew a Drama coach who always asked kids what their favorite academic subjects were. If a kid liked English, the lady knew the kid would read emails, respond, read handouts, know directions given. Math and science? Wild cards;”

4. A licensed clinical social worker who has served many of my clients over the years felt firmly about birth order. “The oldest kid is often the most dependable, the most serious, the most motivated by guilt – but also the most rigid. The youngest kid is spoiled a third of the time, and used to having their (derriere) kissed, but also one-third of the time highly motivated by the possibility of promotions, and the job leading to something better down the road.” The other third? “I have no idea,” she said.

The middle child? “The most normal. Not many predictors. Blank slate – that can be bad and good.” Fair enough. Telling? Nope. But her stories were fun.

5. A high school baseball coach said: “The girls are tougher at Scarborough High than the boys. Period.” One exception – “the boys in the class of 1995 I loved. And the boys in 2012 seem OK…” Oddest statements I got. But, I think, precisely on the money.

What decision did I make?

I hired a girl. Youngest in family. Liked to sing in church. Runner. Future history major.

I ran by the driveway most mornings. Immaculately shoveled.

Dan Warren is a Scarborough trial lawyer. He can be reached by private Facebook message at the Jones & Warren Attorneys at Law page, or by email at jonesandwarren@gmail.com.