Yeardley Love was a senior at the University of Virginia before she was killed by her ex-boyfriend.

In an effort to prevent violence in other young relationships, Yeardley's mother, Sharon Love (right), and cousin, Sharon Robinson (left), spoke to Melrose High School students on Thursday.

Initiated by the Melrose Alliance Against Violence and funded by a federal grant, the presentation was part of an initiative launched to teach students about abusive relationships.

The Melrose Student Action Board is helping provide classmates with evidence-based lessons about relationship violence. The group wore t-shirts that read, "Love is/Love isn't/Do you know the difference?"

“I knew nothing (about relationship violence) because no one ever speaks about it,” Love told the audience in Melrose. “I hope by telling Yeardley’s story, the secrecy will end.”

During two assemblies, Love and Robinson took turns talking about Yeardley: her personality, her passion for school and lacrosse, and the circumstances that led to her unexpected death just weeks before she would graduate.

Students were silent as the women shared their thoughts and presented a video clip and public service announcement promoting the app they helped develop.

“I hope that we, at the very least, created an awareness of domestic violence, relationship violence," said Love. "And at the very most, that they will stand up and be a spokesperson for us.”

Pictured: Lilah Drafts-Johnson sings in a group performance of "Stand Up" by Sugarland in tribute to Yeardley Love and the One Love Foundation.