Time changes everything and no one knows that more than Playmate Ruthy Ross. The petite brunette from Bourbon, Missouri had every opportunity at her fingertips upon graduating from high school and decided she would follow her passion. “I studied drama and music at the University of Missouri. I was valedictorian of my high school class and have an IQ of 142, which got me a college scholarship,” blushes Ruthy. “Oh, and in my spare time, I study photography.” After two years of studying at the University of Missouri, the busty beauty wanted more from her life—she didn’t want to be the good student and the perfect daughter anymore. She wanted to embark on an adventure. “I have a huge family - seven brothers and five sisters. My father is a minister and my mother is a housewife,” states the all-natural brunette. Trading in her drama books for a pair of bunny ears and a cottontail, Ruthy began the most exciting 16 months of her young life. “I worked as a Bunny at the Playboy Club in Kansas City and Los Angeles,” she explains. “I'd like to get into television or advertising.” The small screen will have to wait because Bunny Ruthy is just what Playboy Club patrons in Century City and beyond want to see. “Century City is really becoming 'uptown' for L.A., and it's where the action is. Besides, we'll expand our hours to include luncheon, and I think I'd like to start working days,” explains the busty Playboy Bunny. “There's a wonderful futuristic community theater in my neighborhood, and I'd like to get started working in it, but all the meetings and rehearsals are at night, which is when I've been working. I know I have some dramatic ability, but it's a little raw—it needs polish. And I don't really have the money to go to a private coach.” No matter how often Ruthy was complimented by her regular customers, she was still shocked to hear she was chosen to represent the Los Angeles Playboy Club in the annual Bunny Beauty contest. Twenty-one girls fought for the top Bunny spot, but Ruthy came out on top. “Surprised?” asks our Bunny of the Year 1972. “I didn't think I had a chance. No sleep the night before the finals. Thought I looked a wreck, but apparently—and luckily—the judges didn't agree.” While promoting her newfound Bunny fame everywhere from parties at the Mansion, to a celebrity boxing match between Sugar Ray Robinson and Bob Hope, to the Los Angeles Tennis Club where she was spotted with Charlton Heston during a fundraiser, Ruthy thought the good times would never end. How right she was—Ruthy was finally asked to test for Playmate and was later chosen to be our Miss June 1973. Becoming our Playmate of the Month, our centerfold sweetheart and acquiring the converted Playmate fee were dreams this Bunny never thought possible. “That is going into the bank,” says Ruthy of her Playboy paycheck. “I believe in being prepared for a rainy day. Guess I'm old-fashioned that way.” Being old-fashioned has never looked so sexy.