With some help from an NFL star from Selma, six individuals earned an A plus computer certification Friday.

The St. James Hotel was filled with smiles, laughter and cheers Friday as Michael Johnson Computer Initiative Class graduates received their A plus certifications during the class’ second commencement ceremony. Orchestrated by the MJ93 Foundation, the free class furthers an individual’s knowledge about computer programs. The average cost of the class is estimated to be $3,500, and the average starting salary of a computer technician is about $40,000.

“We can bridge that gap and help people catch up with technology,” Thomasene Johnson, the mother and manager of Michael Johnson, said. “Then we will feel like we will accomplish something.”

Michael Johnson is a graduate of Dallas County High School and up until this off-season was a starting defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals. After the season, Michael signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Buccaneers.

William Scott, owner of the Selma Businesses Center on Lauderdale Street, served as the guest speaker of the commencement ceremony.

Scott said he felt it was important to give the graduates some input from the business community, since their certification has the potential to enhance their job opportunities.

“These are the type of the people that I want to hire to have that skill set, because with that skill set they are more marketable to me and the clients I deal with,” Scott said. “I think it’s good to have a network between the instructors, the business and the students.”

MJ93 computer initiative class graduate Dewayne Richardson said he’s always been interested in technology and learning ways to better his financial situation, so the decision to take the class was easy.

“I want a way to make more money without doing such hard work,” Richardson, who plans to create a website, said. “I’ve worked at a job before where I was making really good money, but it was so hard. I just didn’t want to be there.”

The first graduation ceremony was in November and trained eight adults to be computer technicians.