In 1983, Katherine Hushaw attended The Great 30th Anniversary Playmate search when it stopped in Sacramento, California. “After hearing about the search on the news, my first reaction was, ‘Oh, I could do that,'” she noted in her Playmate data sheet, and she gave it a try. “A woman’s body truly is a work of art to be admired,” Katherine wrote. “I would like to be a part of that special art.” Katherine was about to start work on her Centerfold when decided to put off the rest of her Playmate shoot. In 1986 she decided to go forward with being a special work of art and became Miss October.

Living in Lodi, California and paying her way through massage school as a manicurist (specializing in airbrush nail art), Katherine noted in her new data sheet that she was “very content” with what she was doing and where life had taken her up until that point. “I’m one of those people who have a long and diversified life story, even though I’m only 22 years old,” she said. “I’ll tell you about it sometime…”

In 1986 she decided to go forward with being a special work of art and became Miss October. Living in Lodi, California and paying her way through massage school as a manicurist (specializing in airbrush nail art), Katherine noted in her new data sheet that she was “very content” with what she was doing and where life had taken her up until that point. “I’m one of those people who have a long and diversified life story, even though I’m only 22 years old,” she said. “I’ll tell you about it sometime…”. At the tender age of 11, Katherine Hushaw learned about the wonder world of Playboy—and being the goal-oriented person she is—she quickly decided that she needed to be featured on those glossy pages when she grew up. “For half my life, I’ve wanted to be one of those naked ladies,” says the curly-haired blonde. For ambitious Katherine, being able to finally call herself a Playmate is a source of pride, because when she puts her mind to something, nothing and no one can stop her. “I can’t believe I’m Miss October 1986,” says the shocked beauty who would spend most of her time studying about the Orient than actually modeling. The California girl is in love with the old-world philosophies and martial art teachings of the Eastern Asia—her days are literally consumed by studying Japanese art, massage and history and on occasion, she spends time learning to fly helicopters.

“I’m a very silly girl, but I am serious about archaeology, Eastern art, shiatsu and shóu-shù, my work—anything I’m not laughing about at the moment,” says the all-natural Playboy model known as Sachiko by her shiatsu classmates, Japanese for happy child. Almost everything and anything can make Sachiko smile, except for arrogance. Miss October 1986 cannot get enough of a man’s confidence and humor, but when it crosses over into cockiness, the happy child is no more and may be forced to use her martial art moves. “Now that I’m a Playmate, I’ll sign as many autographs as people ask for and say, ‘be yourself and check your ego at the door,’” explains Miss Hushaw who found her confident love match in voice actor Noel Blanc, son of cartoon voiceover legend Mel Blanc—the voice behind Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and The Flintstones’ Barney Rubble. Now that she’s our Miss October 1986 and married into a legendary voiceover family, what is left on Katherine’s to-do list? Apparently, there’s still tons left to do. “I want to go to China and dig things up. I want to do things. I want to continue working with Playboy. But, I don’t spend much time thinking about the future. The present is interesting enough.” With beauties like Katherine around, it sure is.