The National Art Honors Society (NAHS) took 40 of its members to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Dec. 15.

NAHS adviser and art teacher Shelley Ortner said a field trip to an art museum trip is an annual tradition for the club. Last year, NAHS members visited the Cooper Hewitt/Smithsonian Design Museum.

The attendees were chosen on a first-come, first-served basis while a predetermined schedule designated this year’s destination of the Metropolitan, said NAHS President and senior Sydney Foo Siam of Millstone.

“Last year, the museum was chosen by Ortner. But every two years, NAHS goes to the Met, and that is this year,” Foo Siam said.

Ortner said NAHS alters the destination every other year so that every NAHS member can experience a trip to the Met during their time at CHS.

“The Met offers something for everyone whether your interest lies in the classics, modern art, sculpture or historical artifacts,” Ortner said.

During the visit, students got the opportunity to explore the museum on their own and were then taken on a guided tour in groups.

In his time at the Met, junior Matt Avena of Middletown said a taxidermied deer covered in clear crystal balls stood out the most.

“It was very unique, and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Avena said.

For junior Carly Drabeck of Oceanport, the trip was an opportunity to experience new types of art and expression.

“I wanted to open myself up to new forms of art and ways of thinking and I wanted to experience that.” Drabeck said.

But Drabeck said she would not want to attend a trip to the Met again.

“Personally, I would not go back only because I am more focused on modern art and the use of different media, whereas this was more history based and more classical.” Drabeck said.

Ortner considers this year’s trip to be an overall success.

“I believe a trip has been successful when a student sees a famous work of art they’ve only seen in books before. I enjoy knowing that students are amazed at what they see as much as I am each time I go,” Ortner said.