Rep. Mike Thompson (Center) presents the Fifth Congressional District American Dream Award to Vallejo sisters Maria Sanchez (Left) and Carmela Sandoval, the owners of Bere’s Bridal and Christening Wear. Sanchez and Sandoval were two of four recipients from Solano County and two of 18 from the 5th Congressional District. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Schoen)

On Sunday, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa) announced the winners of the Fifth Congressional District American Dream Awards at the USA World Classics Event Center in Vallejo. The awards honor the achievements of immigrants in Thompson’s district who have contributed to their communities in the areas of arts and culture, professional achievement, entrepreneurship and innovation, and community service.

Of the 18 honorees, four are Solano County residents. The first was Nataly Deherrera, the owner of the Vallejo accounting firm TaxAce Group Inc., which helps hospice groups, firefighters and teachers with their tax returns. Additionally, she provides free tax classes for small-business owners as well as free educational workshops for families. She also does volunteer work for urban youth and families as a member of City Impact. Deherrera was born in Angeles, Phillippines and currently attends San Francisco State University, having already gotten a bachelor’s degree in business accounting and computing from UC Davis.

Thompson also honored William Kim, the owner of William Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Center in Vallejo. Born in Daegu, South Korea, Kim moved to the city with his wife Yolanda in 1980 and established his studio where he has taught more than 10,000 students in that time. Kim holds a 9th degree black belt, the highest rank in Taekwondo, and was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2009. Kim also helped establish the sister city relation between Vallejo and Jincheon, South Korea and serves as an international liaison officer for the two cities.

Finally, Vallejo sisters Carmela Sandoval and Maria Sanchez were honored. The daughters of Mexican immigrants, Sanchez and Sandoval attended school in Los Angeles, although Sanchez had to drop out to support her family. Both sisters went on to own and manage Bere’s Bridal and Christening Wear in Vallejo, and they are regular volunteers for the nonprofit organization Vallejo Together as well as Centro Latino, which provides advocacy for Latino children in the area. They also are the organizers of an annual holiday posada for low-income children, which includes a hot meal and gift drive.

Also honored outside Solano County were world famous Croatian-born winemaker Miljenjo “Mike” Grgich– who was unable to attend but will be recognized at a later ceremony; Sonu Chandi, the founder of Chandi Hospitality Group which manages the North Bay branch of the Mountain Mike’s Pizza chain; and Art Ibleto, the Argentinian-born and Italian-raised chef who was imprisoned for refusing to fight for Benito Mussolini’s army.

“We are a nation of immigrants, of brave men and women who left their lives and everything familiar behind them for the chance to build something better, be part of something greater,” Thompson said in a statement. “The dream of our forefathers continues to inspire a new generation today. I’ve met so many immigrants in our district—and all across our nation—who have built amazing businesses, given back to their communities, and enriched the lives of everyone they meet. If I could, I would have honored them all. At the very least, I want to make it clear that our district would not be nearly as vibrant or successful without their contributions. I’d like to thank them all for sharing their stories in their own words, and congratulate them on everything they’ve accomplished.”

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