Joseph Rabalais is the legendary first settler of Avoyelles. There is a note in the margin of an early registry book at St. Payl's in Mansura that the first baptism at the church was the daughter of Joseph Rabalais. Perhaps this first baptism was handed down orally and became "the first birth" in Avoyelles.

For a list of past recipients of the Avoyellean of the Year award visit: Avoyelleans of the Year