Though classes had yet to start, the John F. Kennedy High School football team took to the field to practice for the opener against Father Dueñas Memorial. With Tumon Bay as their backdrop, the players warmed up beneath the August sun. Neither the threat of nuclear war nor 80 percent humidity could halt the dedication of the J.F.K. Islanders, and the same could be said for most others on this tiny Pacific island: Life goes on.

The standoff between the United States and North Korea has cast a rare spotlight on the island. But while its fate may be decided by distant world leaders, its future lies in much younger, more local hands. From issues of environmental protection to answering the call of the church, the youth on Guam have many different perspectives, but together, they share similar hopes and dreams, and a drive to preserve, honor and shape the future of their island.

The people of Guam are American citizens, and though they do not get to vote for president, they are at the mercy of choices made in Washington, 8,000 miles away. They’re on the varsity team, but they won’t ever see playing time. Some of the youth on Guam seem O.K. with this, seeing benefits in the territorial relationship, while others strongly oppose it, desiring sovereignty and for their island to be left alone.