Paolo Pasco Jeopardy Profile: Age, Job, Family, Stats

Find out all the Jeopardy! results for Paolo Pasco, including games played, scores and competitors.

Paolo Pasco Jeopardy Contestant Profile

Paolo Pasco is a highly accomplished crossword puzzle writer and games editor, originally from San Diego, California. His engagement with puzzles began early in childhood, starting with sudoku and Dell Magazine puzzle books. By eighth grade, he was solving some of the New York Times’ favorite puzzles curated by Will Shortz, the Times’ crossword editor. Pasco’s early fascination with puzzles transitioned into creating his own, and he actively collaborated with online puzzle communities such as Reddit, Twitter, and Cruciverb. These interactions introduced him to a network of like-minded enthusiasts who shared tips, tested puzzles, and discussed solutions, fostering both his skills and his understanding of puzzle culture.

Pasco has a notable history of published work. He had his first crossword accepted by The New York Times while still a high school freshman, and as of recent records, he has had a dozen puzzles published in the Times, along with contributions to The Wall Street Journal, BuzzFeed, and the American Values Club. He also runs his own blog, Grids These Days, where he publishes puzzles independently. Pasco is recognized for his approach to crossword construction, which often integrates contemporary culture and references that appeal to younger audiences, diversifying a traditionally homogeneous space of older and predominantly white puzzle solvers.

In terms of his professional trajectory, Pasco has experience across multiple editorial and educational roles. He is currently the Games Editor at TED Conferences, starting in August 2025. Previously, he held positions as a Games Editor at LinkedIn, Assistant Editor for the American Values Club Crossword, Data Scientist at ASML, and Assistant Crossword Editor at The Atlantic. He also worked as a Staff Writer for The Harvard Lampoon, a Lyricist for Hasty Pudding Theatricals, and a Math Camp Teaching Assistant at Santa Fe Christian Schools. Across these roles, he has demonstrated versatility, combining skills in puzzle construction, computer science (Python, JavaScript, HTML), mathematics, creative writing, and editorial management.

Educationally, Pasco attended Santa Fe Christian Schools for his high school education, where he participated in Math Club, Academic Team, National Honor Society, and other extracurricular activities. He then studied at Harvard University from 2018 to 2022, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. During his time at Harvard, he was involved in several organizations, including Three Letter Acronym Improv, Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Asian Students Arts Project, and various Asian American cultural groups. These experiences highlight a blend of academic rigor, creative pursuits, and community engagement.

Culturally and personally, Pasco is a Filipino American, which situates him as part of an emerging generation of puzzle creators striving to diversify the content and audiences of crossword puzzles. His work often bridges traditional and contemporary cultural references, reflecting broader societal shifts within the puzzle community. Beyond professional achievements, he engages with volunteer work, particularly in teaching children through outreach programs like Awana. Pasco’s career reflects both a depth of expertise in puzzle creation and a broader commitment to community, education, and cultural inclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWnuaVFzGxY

Contestant Image Credit: Jeopardy Official Website

Paolo Pasco Jeopardy Results