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Interestingly, amidst this rich legacy, there emerges a desire among the younger generation to pursue education rather than follow in the footsteps of their mining forebears. Wes’s approach with his 12-year-old son emphasizes this new mindset; he expresses pride in his son's academic achievements and hopes for a future beyond the mines. Similarly, Jeny, who has been with a coal miner since 1999, echoed these sentiments as she discussed her aspirations for her daughter to attend college and break the cycle of coal mining.