Class of 1936

James S. Thorburn

Circuit Court of Michigan Judge, 1963-1989

Received two Distinguished Flying Crosses in World War II for Heroism

President of the Royal Oak Board of Education

Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 1996

James S. Thorburn graduated from Royal Oak High School in June of 1936. He holds a bachelor degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

The day after Pearl Harbor James Thorburn enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve and served as a naval aviator and naval officer until his discharge in 1945. During his tour of duty in the Pacific he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals for heroism and reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Mr. Thorburn engaged in the general practice of law in Royal Oak for 16 years. During that time he held positions as City Attorney for the cities of Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge and President of the Royal Oak School Board.

James Thorburn was appointed a Circuit Court Judge for Oakland County in 1963. He served in that capacity for 25 years during which he installed modern electrical recording equipment and created a sentencing panel to insure uniformity in sentencing. He held positions on the Michigan Judicial Tenure Committee and was president of the Michigan Judges Association. James S. Thorburn was inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 1996.

Class of 1936

Barbara G. Field

Royal Oak School Board Trustee, 1964-1977

Royal Oak Distinguished Citizen in 1973

Awarded the title of “Honorary Member” of Royal Oak Women’s Club, 1990

Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 1998 

Barbra Genevieve Smith Field is the third of five generations to reside in Royal Oak. She graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1936. She then attended Hillsdale College earning a bachelor's degree in 1940.

She began her career as a secondary teacher in Hazel Park and Troy but most of her life was devoted to volunteer work in her community. She was an active member of the PTA serving as President of the Royal Oak Council in 1969. Mrs. Field served twelve years on the Royal Oak School Board during which she held the positions of Secretary and Vice-President.

Barbara Field is a life time member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Royal Oak and served as a Vestry Member in 1969-72. She has been an active member of the R. O. Women's Club and served on the Board of Directors of the Royal Oak Historical Society. The Women's Club awarded her Honorary Member status in 1990 and the Greater Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce chose Barbara Field as it Distinguished Citizen of the year in 1973. She was inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 1998.

Class of 1935 & 1936

The Borgo Sisters
Frances and Virginia

Founded the Borgo Sisters School of Dance and Gymnastics

Wrote The Borgo Method for tap dance notation

Frances and Virginia Borgo each graduated from Royal Oak High School--Frances in 1936 and Virginia in 1935. They began dancing at the age of seven and eight. They studied at dance and gymnastics at several universities and received lessons from several internationally respected instructors. Each received a degree in ballet from Dance Masters of America.

They founded the Borgo School of Dance in 1936. Their teaching philosophy incorporated the fundamental belief that each student is special and an important part of the program.

The Borgo Sisters School of Dance and Gymnastics follows a well defined system where each class is presented with age appropriate steps and music. Lessons are designed to train and strengthen the body while instilling confidence and poise. Their system was formally codified as The Borgo Method and published in 1994. It is said that what sheet music is to musicians, the Borgo Method is to tap dancers.

The sisters have taught dancers for Broadway, The Rockettes, and ballet companies as well as several generations of local dancers In 1997 each was given an award by the Dance Masters of Michigan and the Dance Masters of America. Frances and Virginia Borgo were inducted as a team into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 1998.