A prom amid deep poverty in Booneville, Kentucky – in pictures

Paul Neace sits in his home in Owsley County, where nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Former chimney sweeper Mose Noble's trailer has no electricity or running water. He is no longer employed but does volunteer work cleaning graveyards from time to time Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Riders prepare to leave after a break at a gas station during the Owsley County Saddle Club trail ride in Booneville. The trail attracts riders from outside the county, who contribute much needed revenue Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Mechanic Chucky Oliver welds a pipe at his auto repair shop. The region struggles with a lack of jobs due to the decline in coal, tobacco and lumber industries Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

James Moore plays the guitar as Robert Go sings while revelers hug at Joe's Meat Market #2 Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Brittany Brewer fixes her gown as she prepares for the Owsley County High School prom Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Drucilla Smith has her hair done before the Owsley County High School prom Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Taylor family waits to attend the start of the Owsley County High School prom Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Two men share a table in a restaurant. Daniel Boone once camped in this Appalachian hamlet, and it remains mostly populated by descendants of settlers to this day Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Family members Ronnie Duff, Love Faith Duff, Jacob Lucas and Hope Lucas gather on a porch Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Mose Noble and Lowell Morris take a break from cleaning a cemetery Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

With local residents gathered to watch, students enter the prom Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Married students Starr Lewis, Travis Lewis and daughter Ariel Lewis attend the Owsley County High School prom Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Cora McIntosh displays a cross she knitted Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Owsley County Outreach Center workers carry food to be delivered to children as part of its Food Backpack Program Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

An old sign points the way toward a largely empty downtown Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

A man helps organize carriage rides at the Owsley County Saddle Club trail ride Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images