Andrea Hermitt 

Co-Founding Director 

Andrea Hermitt is the co-founding director of Hazelwood Prep, a homeschool program created to support families facing barriers to homeschooling. She graduated from the State University of New York in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and earned a Master of Education degree from the University of the People in 2022.

Andrea homeschooled her two children from 2003 until 2013, when her youngest graduated at 16. Her children have bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Over the years, she has contributed to numerous websites and homeschool blogs, sharing her expertise with a wider audience.

Since graduating her children, Andrea has been actively involved in theatre arts and continues to counsel and support homeschooling families, drawing on her extensive experience and passion for education. 

Mere Jones

Co-Founding Director 

Mere Jones is a co-founding director of Hazelwood Prep, an alternative educational non-profit helping families provide the best educational opportunities for their homeschool, hybrid school, and digital learning students. She graduated with a BA in English from the University of Georgia in 2005, completed the Art Direction program at the Creative Circus in 2013, and earned a Master’s of Education degree from the University of the People in 2022.

Mere has two children, one graduated from his homeschool journey in 2024 and will be attending college in the fall of 2024. The other is halfway through his high school adventure.

Theatre and performing arts have been an integral part of Mere’s life and an important part of her children’s education. As a director, designer, and producer she has extensive experience in live theatre. Additionally, Mere is a key figure in writing, illustrating, and layout of the Cheese Press History collection of books used in the Hazelwood Prep combined History and Language Arts classes 

Shaloncé Royal

Music & Executive Administrator 

Shaloncé Royal is the Executive Administrator at Hazelwood Prep, where she seamlessly blends her organizational expertise with her diverse passions. A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Music, Shaloncé specializes in Opera Performance, and has performed on stages in countries including South Korea and Italy. Her background in music, particularly opera, complements her work in administration, bringing creativity and a strong work ethic to everything she does.

As Hazelwood Prep expands its Arts program, Shaloncé is excited to lend her talents and expertise to both the music and theater departments. Her multifaceted career and artistic background make her an invaluable resource for the school’s continued growth and artistic development.

Outside of her administrative duties, Shaloncé is an independent professional wrestler, balancing her athletic career with her love for modern and classical music, video game music, and creative pursuits like writing and filming. Whether performing, wrestling, or contributing to Hazelwood Prep, Shaloncé continues to inspire and innovate across multiple disciplines.