From Helping Crime Victims to Competing on Jeopardy

Corvallis woman takes national stage...

Jul 02, 2026

www.corvallisnow.com

For one night this week, a resident from Corvallis trades victim advocacy for trivia.

Robyn Masella, a Corvallis resident and victim advocate, appeared as a contestant on the long-running television quiz show Jeopardy, representing our city on one of America’s most recognizable game shows. This is a long way from Common Fields' Tuesday trivia nights.

Her appearance gave viewers across the country a chance to learn about someone whose professional career has been dedicated to helping victims of crime navigate the justice system.

Masella currently works as a victims’ specialist with Oregon’s Board of Parole, where she helps crime victims understand parole proceedings, provides updates on offenders’ cases, and ensures victims have a voice throughout the post-conviction process.

Masella has built a career focused on victim advocacy and public service. Her work has centered on connecting survivors with resources, explaining complex legal processes, and helping ensure victims’ rights are respected throughout Oregon’s criminal justice system.

Earlier this year, she was recognized with the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center’s 2026 Hardy Myers Victim Advocacy Award for her contributions to crime victims across the state.

Masella competed against returning champion Richard Nguyen and fellow contestant Ben Crockett. Although she was unable to advance to Final Jeopardy after finishing Double Jeopardy, qualifying for the nationally televised competition is an accomplishment in itself.

While we all saw her answering trivia questions on TV and under studio lights, her day job involves work that is far less visible.

She even has her own IMDB page now.

This article was written by K. Hewlitt at The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com